World Cup: Aerial acrobatics at Soccer City as the opening finally draws near

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Finally, something to drown out the vuvuzelas!

I am seated up near the rim of one of Africa’s newest wonders, 94,700-seat Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, and the South African Air Force is buzzing the place.

Five jets are performing acrobatics above the stadium, with one fly-by coming perilously close to the upper deck. It is an impressive display and has jacked up an atmosphere that was already rocking.

The opening ceremony for the first World Cup to be played in Africa is only a few moments away. Fans have filled about half the giant arena, almost all of them wearing hats or scarves or shirts in the colors of the Bafana Bafana, South Africa’s national soccer team.

Mexico’s fans are here too, in pretty impressive numbers and wearing the colors of El Tri, just as they do at Azteca Stadium. African music is playing. The playing surface is a kaleidoscope of color as the dancers and musicians begin to perform.

The opening match between South Africa and Mexico is still a couple of hours away, but it is becoming increasingly clear that Africa is ready. This should be some ride.

--Grahame L. Jones, reporting from Johannesburg