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Friday, Jun 11, 2010 7:12 PM UTC

World Cup fever sweeps South Africa

Slide show: After months of anticipation, the games have begun, and the host nation has gone football mad SLIDE SHOW

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Topics: World Cup, Slide Shows, slideshow,

World Cup fever sweeps South AfricaMembers of the Stars of Tomorrow soccer team play on a narrow strip of open ground between a busy highway and Khayelitsha township, near Cape Town, May 20, 2010. The city is one of nine South African cities hosting the 2010 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SOCIETY SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)(Credit: © Mike Hutchings / Reuters)

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Africa’s first World Cup began Friday amid the buzzing blast of a million vuvuzelas — South Africa’s favorite head-jarring fan instrument. Fans from the 32 nations represented in the tournament have gathered to lose their collective heads in earth’s biggest, most colorful sporting event.

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World Cup fever sweeps South Africa, June 11, 2010
South Africa is hosting the19th FIFA World Cup, which began on June 11 and concluded on July 11. This is the first time the tournament was held in Africa. More than 200 national soccer teams began competing three years earlier

for the 32 slots in the tournament. World Cup matches were played in cities across South Africa, including Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

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