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BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - The Reggae Boyz arrived here on Friday after an excruciating two-day journey from Kingston to fanfare and pageantry.
As the team bus pulled into the Southern Sun hotel in Mangaung here, a large Jamaica flag emblazoned across the front of the property at first glance symbolised the heart-warming welcome.
Bloemfontein, South Africa - South African dancers, Vuka Dance Production, put on a traditional African dance and song routine for the Reggae Boyz (background) on their arrival at their hotel on Friday. (Photo: Sean Williams)
But it would get better.
In front of the hotel located at the corner of Nelson Mandela Drive and Melville Avenue, a traditional African dance and song rendition was in full flight.
Captivated by the haunting but pulsating drumming that accompanied the gyrations of the Vuka Dance Productions members, a number of the weary Jamaicans involuntarily moved to the infectious beat.
On hand to welcome the group after the one-hour flight to the nation's commercial capital, Johannesburg, were deputy mayor of Mangaung, coincilwoman SK Chaene and CEO of the Mangaung/Bloemfontein Organising Committee of World Cup 2010, George Mohlakoana.
The Reggae Boyz, ranked No 69 by FIFA, are here for their friendly fixture against 85th-rated World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa at the Free State Stadium at Vodacom Park on Tuesday.
Kick-off is 8:30 pm (1:30 pm Jamaica time) and the 46,000-capacity ground is expected to be sold out.
Moved by the unexpected welcome, head of delegation of the Jamaica contingent, Garfield Sinclair said, "We're overwhelmed."
"I remember vividly the struggles for basic human rights by black people here and how Jamaica stood shoulder to shoulder with them in that struggle, so to actually be in South Africa is something," said the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) treasurer.
"I hope that the young men (Boyz) who are here will get the spirit and learn a little bit about the history as a lot of that struggle went on before a lot of them were born," urged Sinclair.
Meanwhile, acting mayor Chaene, in welcoming the 28-man party, said, "It's a pleasure to have you here".
Mohlakoana said it's an emotional moment for him to be actually hosting the Jamaican football team.
"The visit by Jamaica is really important, for me personally; it's a very emotional one simply because if you look at the history, there are a lot of similarities between the two countries.
"Jamaica's success in the world of athletics has inspired us here in South Africa and Usain Bolt, in particular, is well liked, and every time he participates we all come together to watch him," he said
As the team bus pulled into the Southern Sun hotel in Mangaung here, a large Jamaica flag emblazoned across the front of the property at first glance symbolised the heart-warming welcome.
Bloemfontein, South Africa - South African dancers, Vuka Dance Production, put on a traditional African dance and song routine for the Reggae Boyz (background) on their arrival at their hotel on Friday. (Photo: Sean Williams) But it would get better.
In front of the hotel located at the corner of Nelson Mandela Drive and Melville Avenue, a traditional African dance and song rendition was in full flight.
Captivated by the haunting but pulsating drumming that accompanied the gyrations of the Vuka Dance Productions members, a number of the weary Jamaicans involuntarily moved to the infectious beat.
On hand to welcome the group after the one-hour flight to the nation's commercial capital, Johannesburg, were deputy mayor of Mangaung, coincilwoman SK Chaene and CEO of the Mangaung/Bloemfontein Organising Committee of World Cup 2010, George Mohlakoana.
The Reggae Boyz, ranked No 69 by FIFA, are here for their friendly fixture against 85th-rated World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa at the Free State Stadium at Vodacom Park on Tuesday.
Kick-off is 8:30 pm (1:30 pm Jamaica time) and the 46,000-capacity ground is expected to be sold out.
Moved by the unexpected welcome, head of delegation of the Jamaica contingent, Garfield Sinclair said, "We're overwhelmed."
"I remember vividly the struggles for basic human rights by black people here and how Jamaica stood shoulder to shoulder with them in that struggle, so to actually be in South Africa is something," said the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) treasurer.
"I hope that the young men (Boyz) who are here will get the spirit and learn a little bit about the history as a lot of that struggle went on before a lot of them were born," urged Sinclair.
Meanwhile, acting mayor Chaene, in welcoming the 28-man party, said, "It's a pleasure to have you here".
Mohlakoana said it's an emotional moment for him to be actually hosting the Jamaican football team.
"The visit by Jamaica is really important, for me personally; it's a very emotional one simply because if you look at the history, there are a lot of similarities between the two countries.
"Jamaica's success in the world of athletics has inspired us here in South Africa and Usain Bolt, in particular, is well liked, and every time he participates we all come together to watch him," he said
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