There is little doubt which sport is number one in South Africa – nothing compares to soccer in this country. South Africans have a tremendous amount of passion for this game and eagerly follow local as well as international competitions. While the country is not seen as a powerhouse on the global stage, it has a long and rich tradition with soccer and continues to nurture it. Local people love watching games at the stadiums or on TV, and soccer bets are pretty common among the fans as well.
Here is an overview of the status of soccer in South Africa and the most important moments that marked its development.
Brief History of Soccer in South Africa
As a former British colony, South Africa came into contact with the game of football or soccer very early, with the first matches played in the late 19th century. Its football association is among the oldest in the world, while the country was among the first from Africa to join FIFA. However, its membership in the international soccer organisations was complicated by the racial policies of South Africa, leading to the nation’s suspension from international play for three decades. Only with the end of Apartheid in the early 1990s did South Africa fully re-joined the family of soccer nations. Since then, there has been tremendous progress in the sport, putting South Africa among the most prominent developmental regions in Africa and the rest of the world.
International Achievements of the National Team
International isolation prevented South African footballers from competing in major events until 1992, but once the country re-entered the global circuit it has proven to be a capable side. It didn’t take long for the first notable success, as South Africa won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations in front of its fans, and qualified for the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup. The national team also earned a spot at the 1998 World Cup, then repeated the feat four years later to appear at the 2002 World Cup. Simultaneously, the women’s team became a regular fixture at the most prestigious continental and global tournaments. All of this goes to show that soccer has strong roots in South Africa and once given the chance the nation assumed its spot as one of the best-trained and best-coached teams in Africa.
2010 World Cup as a Turning Point
The final symbolic act of reintegration into international soccer occurred in 2010, when South Africa became the first African nation ever to host the World Cup. Since the host automatically earns a spot, local fans were treated to a unique chance to see their heroes face the best players in the world. Despite the early elimination of the home team, the atmosphere at games remained amazing and this tournament was remembered very fondly among the visiting fans. It has undoubtedly boosted the interest in soccer among all demographic groups in South African society and created great conditions for raising the next generation of soccer stars. Positive fan experiences and high quality of play have proven once and for all that African countries can meet the logistical, financial and security challenges associated with a tournament of this magnitude.
Popularity of Domestic Soccer Clubs and Players
At the club level, the quality of soccer in South Africa is above that seen in the neighbouring countries. Thanks to solid infrastructure and bigger budgets, several teams were able to build sustainable programs that consistently field good teams. Fan following is at a high level, with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates having more than 4 million supporters each, ranking them among the 5 most popular soccer teams in entire Africa. Many players born and trained in South Africa are playing for big clubs abroad, representing the local school of football on the international level. With so many role models, young people in South Africa have a lot of incentives to start playing soccer at a young age which should translate into even better results on the pitch with each passing generation.
How Does South Africa Compare to Other Nations
Soccer is a favourite pastime and a source of national pride for South Africans of all racial backgrounds, and it is one of the shared experiences that bring all the communities together. The sport is immensely popular and any notable results by the national team are celebrated in the streets. All of this puts South Africa in the same class with countries that live and breathe soccer like Brazil or England. However, this love for the sport is yet to result in high-level achievements at elite tournaments. South Africa is consistently ranked as one of the best African teams and its top flight of club football features very solid players, but there is a huge gap between elite European or South American teams and their South African counterparts. Much like other African hotbeds of soccer like Nigeria or Egypt, South Africa is still looking for international recognition. With excellent stadiums and access to good coaching, it’s only a matter of time before this country shocks the world and wins a major trophy.
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