Football
is the most popular team sport in South Africa ahead of cricket
and rugby. The sport is played widely in the country and South
Africa is home to one of the leading professional soccer leagues
in Africa. The national team christened “Bafana Bafana” won
the 1996 Africa Nations Cup played in South Africa. The Bafana
Bafana also participated at the Fifa World Cup in 1998 and 2002.
Soccer in the country received a significant boost when South
Africa was awarded the right to host the 2010 World Cup, the
first time the tournament will be played in an African Nation.
Local Competition:
Major soccer clubs in the country include; the Orlando Pirates
based in Orlando, Soweto in the City of Johannesburg; Kaizer
Chiefs also from Soweto and the Mamelodi Sundowns from Pretoria.
Famous Soccer Players: Lucas Radebe (Leeds United), Quinton
Fortuin (Manchester United), Benni McCarthy (FC Porto), Shaun
Bartlett (Charlton FC).
