It’s amazing how the presence of various teams and supporters can transform the same venue into a completely different space.
It’s amazing how the presence of various teams and supporters can transform the same venue into a completely different space.
If the atmosphere on Saturday for the South Korea vs Greece game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was special, then the atmosphere for the match between Portugal and Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday was nothing short of electrifying.
While the South Koreans relied on almost choreographed(but no less entertaining) shows of support, the Portugese proved their support in sheer numbers.
Before the game, it was difficult to spot more than a handful of Ivorian supporters, and when a roar shook the stadium when Portugal captain, Christiano Ronaldo’s name was called out for the starting line-up, I feared that the Ivorians would feel like they were playing very far from Africa.
I was wrong. Not only did the West Africans break down the Portuguese team playby- play, they also managed to inspire many of the neutrals in the stands to root for them.
Each wave of attack by the Côte d’Ivoire was accompanied by the blowing of vuvuzelas and deep-felt shouts of encouragement.
A handful of Côte d’Ivoire supporters, kitted out in bright orange, beat drums and danced relentlessly throughout the game, and made enough noise to make sure that there was never a moment when the presence of the team wasn’t felt.
The Portugal fans, clearly in the majority, seemed shellshocked not only by the performance of the less-fancied team on the field but by the support offered off it as well.
The pinnacle came when Didier Drogba, arguably Africa’s best player, began warming up to come on as a substitute.
The entire stand in which I was sitting, stood up to wave and cheer as the Chelsea striker ran up and down the touchline.
The stadium erupted when Drogba finally did come on and the Portugese team must have felt that they were very alone on the field, despite having thousands of supporters present.
The Ivory Coast grew in stature as the game progressed and the possibility of a win was imminent. Intense pressure towards the end of the game spurred the crowd on with every set-piece in the Portugese half accompanied by deafening noise.
Despite the fact that the game was a draw, both Ivory Coast and their supporters can draw heart from the solid performance that kept a talented side without a proper chance at goal.
More importantly, however, teams like Portugal will now realise, with stark humility, that they are playing in Africa.
