Free Kick Magazine

Looking through all the photos of the World Cup has certainly reminded me of the fabulous party South Africa just hosted. I wish I could share it all with all of you who are surely still feeling the afterglow from a month of celebrating from your home, bar or favourite fan mosh pit.

Thankfully, in my mind, the best team won the tournament and they certainly earned the privilege to dance and Olé Olé Olé for the next four years.

Paul the Octupus got it right again when La Furia Roja broke the hearts of the Oranje Army in a second half overtime goal by Andrés Iniestas. In a match swamped with crunching fouls and yellow cards thrown like a poker game, the controversial epic ended a month long success story for the host nation that managed to shed its own daunting reputation.

Scribes – primarily from Britain – trumpeted promised violence, unfinished stadiums and general disorder for all those who braved a plane ticket to the first World Cup in the African continent.

They got it wrong.

Despite losing some sleep imagining riots, hold-ups and gangs following me down narrow streets, I ventured into a nation on its best behavior trying so dearly to prove their resolve, their grand vision and dream to welcome the world.

Matches were played in fabulous stadiums. Black and white South African fans deliriously celebrated with each other tooting their beloved vuvuzelas while fans from every nation happily responded back with their own colourful tune. The World Cup was a massive celebration of happiness on all levels and despite the critical mass screaming over the bill, the sneers, threats and scathing criticism dissolved once the games began.

In this issue of Free Kick, we hope to share with you another piece of the big story produced out of Africa that we were all touched by, near or afar, sporting fan or pedestrian.

Best wishes to you.

- Carrie