2010 World Cup hosts, South Africa yesterday at the Sports City, Johanesbourg were denied the maximum points in the opening match of Group A of the mundial, when Mexico Captain, Rafael Marquez equalised late into the opening match of the first World Cup on African continent.

Bafana Bafana had sent the packed stadium into delirium when Tshabalala scored the opening goal in the second half to give the hosts an unlikely lead.

The home fans were looking forward to a dream start to the competition with a victory but Marquez’s equaliser ensured the two teams shared the stakes.

However, the result kept faith with the host nation record of not losing an opening match in the history of the mundial.

Indeed, the South Africans, who came short of the upright post from claiming all the three points, must count themselves lucky to have escaped with the draw after the referees disallowed what seemed to be a perfect goal for Mexico in the first half.

Overall, it was an impressive performance by Bafana Bafana, who came into the match gradually and tried to hold their own.

While Mexico’s Dos Santos was the pivot of their team, motivating most of their attacking moves, Bafana Bafana relied on their collective energy, the pace of Teko Modise and Mphela to keep the Mexican defence on their toes.

In the second match of the group, France and Uruguay also shared the points after a goalless encounter.

It was a tight match with little scoring chances that saw the highly rated sides failing to give the spectators a goal to celebrate.

All the teams in  group A are now tied on one point apiece after the draw results, giving them equal opportunities for advancement for now.