Yes I know, more on the Soccer World Cup. But hosting this spectacular event only comes round once in a life time, so I’m making the most if it…. OK.

Here are some interesting facts that I bet you did not know about the Soccer World Cup.

  • South Africa is the first country in Africa to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup.

  • The World Cup trophy was stolen while on display in London in 1966. It was discovered wrapped in newspaper and lying in a bush seven days later by a dog named ‘Pickles’.
  • Made of solid 18-carat gold, the FIFA World Cup trophy measures 36.8 centimeters high and weighs 6.1 kilograms. It is the second official World Cup trophy ever made.

  • India’s team withdrew from the 1950 World Cup after learning they could not compete barefoot.

  • The Moses Mabhida Stadium takes its unique design from the South African flag, with the grand arch representing the unity of this sport-loving nation

  • As you well know our football team is known as Bafana Bafana – “the boys, the boys” in isiZulu – but I bet you didn’t know that the name comes from the fans’ cry that went up during the squad’s triumph at the 1996 African Cup of Nations, hosted in South AFrica

  • The red and yellow card system was not introduced until the 1970 World Cup. The first player to receive a red card was Chile’s Carlos Caszely in 1974 in a match against West Germany in the 67th minute.