Singin' in the Sunshine

June 13 Day 4

Ghana 1 Serbia 0 Pretoria

As bad an experience Rustenburg was, today was heaven. The winter temperature high was in the low 70's, no cloud visible. We had brunch near our hotel with Stana, Jasmina Banicevic's sister, and her husband Angelo Peete. Angelo is the son of Greek immigrants.

He owns a restaurant equipment supply manufacturing and distribution business. Angelo said he saw no ill effects from the recession, possibly because the World Cup has been a huge boost to the hospitality industry. Out on the highway, we saw the Serbia team bus with its police escort. I thought about following them to the stadium, but I did not know where to stash the car. FIFA has a phobia about parking near stadiums, an every day occurrence in the USA.

We arrived at the Pretoria "Park and Ride" less than one hour after departing the restaurant. The location, University of South Africa, occupies rolling hills in a very nice south Pretoria section. All the schools are closed during the World Cup, a special winter break. The buses to the stadium were well-organized. There were numerous coordinators and police around. The bus sped through the streets, as traffic police waved us through the intersections. We swiftly arrived at the stadium, about one hour aggregate after we left Sandton (suburban Joburg).

We met up with Brian and Andrew's neighborhood friend, Caleb, and his girlfriend Alma. We had about an hour to survey the scene before the game. There were not that many Serbia fans, though many ethnic Serbs populate South Africa. We did not see many Ghana fans either. Most fans came in South Africa team colors and supported Ghana. The national and African continental pride among South Africans of all races is palpable.

Ghana has fast, quick players, many of whom are well-built and could wear uniforms with names like "Michigan" or "USC." The Ghanians play with artistic foot skills, and clever maneuvers. The Serbs played a European game, precision footwork and passing. The game was competitive, with good scoring chances on both sides. The difference was mistakes, the worst of which was a Serb hand ball in the box. Ghana converted the penalty kick, for the game's only goal. I guess FIFA liked that.

The hand ball offender was also sent off with a red card. That is supposed to be for intentional hand balls, but who knows what FIFA tells its referees. THus, Serbia played with 10 men. Usually that ruins a match. The shorthanded team stops attacking to defend its goal, and the game dissolves into mush. However, Serbia, being behind, stepped up the pace and had several good scoring chances.

After the game, within one hour from the time we left the stadium, we arrived back in Sandton World Cup life could be good in South Africa, after all.