I don’t even particularly like football. But I love the World Cup.

How can Cameroon be losing to Japan? I just texted a friend of mine. Africa’s first World Cup is my World Cup. And judging from the shouts emanating from the restaurant downstairs whenever there’s a game, I’m not the only one who feels like that.

I asked a friend who his teams are for the World Cup. Africa, he said. I have six teams. And whilst my heart may beat for Cote d’Ivoire this year, I know exactly what he means.  It’s why I took special pride in Ghana’s win over Serbia. And why Cameroon’s defeat by Japan felt personal. Do other continents feel this same sense of solidarity?

There is a different buzz about Harare – the frequency that already revels in a veneer of normalcy, of a false sense of stability after years of uncertainty has reached a new pitch since the Samba Boys’ visit. I feel compelled to double check with people that they’ll be at work, that they’ll keep an appointment – that they won’t be watching a match.

My neophyte’s enthusiasm might make a more dedicated fan of the sport cringe.  But I was thrilled when a dedicated follower explained to me just how simple it is to understand football. So for others who might want to get caught up in it this month, I‘ll share his instructions:

a) score goals
b) don’t go off sides

Yip. That’s about it for starters. You just want to score goals. You have 90 minutes to do so. And the good news is, to win a World Cup game you only need to score one or two. Unless of course your team is Australia. And the other team is Germany . . .

We’ve got a World Cup 2010 photo gallery and match schedule up here

We’ll be updating this gallery regularly, so watch this space!

All photographs rights reserved – © Taurai Maduna.  If you’d like to use this photograph, please email admin [at] kubatana [dot] net

Taurai Maduna is a well known and talented Zimbabwean photographer. He’ll be sharing World Cup 2010 photographs with us. Here is a Bafana Bafana fan seizing the cup for South Africa!

All rights reserved – if you’d like to use this photograph, visit our web site and write us an email.

Now lest you think Kubatana is resolutely anti World Cup, we’re not! We’re busy drawing straws to see who gets to leave the office early on Friday to watch the opening ceremony and first match, and we included this announcement in our newsletter today:

Regional soccer solidarity . . .

Get your fingers tapping today!
Deadline: Wednesday 9 June 2010

Over the next few weeks the eyes of the world will be on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. The tournament starts on 11 June 2010 with the official opening ceremony and the opening game between South Africa and Mexico.

The hosting of the tournament presents us with an opportunity to get behind our neighbours and Bafana Bafana as they take on the best teams in the world.

SANGONeT, a South African NGO, is collecting and coordinating “NGO messages of support” for Bafana Bafana and the successful hosting of the World Cup.

All you need to do is to forward a short message of support from Zimbabwe (no more than 50 words), to info@sangonet.org.za by Wednesday, 9 June 2010. Please copy info@kubatana.net

All messages will be published on NGO Pulse – www.ngopulse.org

A consolidated document with all the messages will be submitted to the South African Football Association (SAFA) on 10 June 2010 to be handed over to the Bafana Bafana team before the start of the World Cup and their first game on 11 June 2010.

We’ve already received these messages of support from our subscribers:

Bafana!Bafana…this is an African cause . . . “Cry the beloved vuvuzela” . . . from the Cape to Cairo the echo of victory shall be heard!
- JM

You are like Excalibur, the great and mighty sword that never lost any battle. You have been given the platform to show the world what Africa is made of. Here is a good luck note from a Zimbabwean lady who is wishing all the best. I salute you.
- RZ

I believe I speak on behalf of many fellow Zimbabweans as I say to Bafana Bafana – “what ever the outcome . . . .we are proud of your our brothers, raise your flag high, and play from the heart . . . for Africa”
- IC

Bafana Bafana, you are the pride of our land,
South Africa, your light will shine to all,
You have already shown the world what you are made of,
You prepared for these games with pride and courage,
Now this is the time for you to shine to the whole world.
- CM

Congratulations on hosting the tournament. Play fair and do it the South African way. Make Africa proud by seizing the opportunity to keep the World Cup in Africa. Ishe Komborera Africa
- ZS

Viva Bafana Bafana Viva. I wish you and the people of South Africa triumph at the prominent Fifa Soccer World Cup Finals. Hold high the golden trophy for victory is already Africa’s. Viva Bafana Bafana.
- KM

Bafana Bafana 2010, it’s historic! Remember it is an African World Cup and belongs to Africa! Go Bafana Bafana you can win it. It is very possible!
- CM

Wish all African teams competing in this year’s World Cup all the best. Make Africa proud. To South Africa: Thank you for bringing the World Cup to our doorstep.
- SC

Get involved! Send your congratulatory message to Bafana Bafana. Write to info [at] sangonet [dot] org [dot] za by Wednesday, 9 June 2010 and cc info [at] kubatana [dot] net