World cup fever hits South Africa

South Africa’s Football World Cup bidding team arrived home early yesterday morning to a heroes’ welcome, cheered on by thousands of fans lining the township streets around Johannesburg.

The country woke up to a hangover after festivities celebrating its winning the right to host one of the world’s greatest sporting events in 2010.

Shortly after arriving back, the country’s bid team led by Danny Jordaan and his deputy Irvin Khoza, travelled by open bus through the poor Alexandra township, east of Johannesburg, where they were cheered by onlookers carrying placards and waving South African flags.

On the ground many celebration parties continued until daybreak, while yesterday papers dedicated front pages, some adorned in the multi-colours of the national flag, as well as several inside pages to the successful bid.