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Thousands into Cape Town Fan Fest
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Security was tight, but the atmosphere was jovial as Cape Town opened its official Fan Fest for the World Cup on Thursday, a day ahead of the first match.
Crowds queued for hours to enter the Grand Parade in the heart of the city, where matches will be shown live and musical acts will entertain South Africans and tourists alike during the month-long tournament. Though most of the thousands in the Fan Fest were from Cape Town, several hundred tourists showed their faces and support for their teams for the first time in Cape Town.
World Cup fans said, "We're going to win. We're going to take the Cup to the Netherlands!"
Although none of the 32 teams in the tournament are based in the city, most of the expected 375,000 tourists visiting South Africa are expected to put the 'Mother
City' of Western Cape on their itinerary. Even non-traditional soccer fans entertained themselves at the Fan Fest. One rugby fan from Bloomfontein, in town for the Springbok international test against France on Saturday, cheered on the Bafana Bafana.
Dheins, Rugby fan from Bloomfontein said, "I believe and trust in my heart that stays close to Bafana Bafana, and I believe we can win the World Cup for South Africa, here in South Africa."
Police kept a close eye on fans in the park while hired security screened the thousands of people who entered the facility, which was designed to accommodate up to 25,000 people.
Colonel Nangwani Mulaudzi, spokesperson for South Africa Police said, "All systems have been put in place. The people are buoyant they want to watch the World Cup, so we are ready as security. Everything is in place and we are confident that we will deliver a good World Cup."
Security throughout South Africa is likely to be one of the major issues of the World Cup.
