JOHANNESBURG - Africa`s first World Cup kicked off on Friday with unfancied hosts South Africa taking on Mexico in front of 85,000 spectators in a packed Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.
Chief playmaker Steven Pienaar, who has had a stellar season for Everton, will be key for the home side and will look to feed possession into striker Katlego Mphela with captain Aaron Mokoena leading the defence.
The hosts, who play a 4-5-1 formation, have picked up notable wins over Colombia and Denmark in their build-up to the first World Cup held in Africa, but Mexico are here to spoil the Bafana Bafana party.
The Mexicans, under coach Javier Aguirre, come into the tournament on the back of an impressive 2-1 defeat of holders Italy, their first ever over the Azzurri, and they have a good mix of experience and youth.
Playing a 3-4-3 formation, their forward line contains 21-year-olds Giovani dos Santos of Galatasaray and Arsenal`s Carlos Vela alongside veteran Guillermo Franco of West Ham.
In the midfield, Gerardo Torrado leads the side while Barcelona`s Rafael Marquez will be tasked with containing Pienaar.
There was no place in the Mexican starting line-up for 37-year-old forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco.