JOHANNESBURG — South Africa could not have asked for more in the opening game of the World Cup, Fifa Local Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan said yesterday.

“We could not have asked for more, a capacity stadium, a host nation with a will to win, an incredible atmosphere and spectacular football,” he said.

“It is just fantastic that the first goal of Africa’s first World Cup went to South Africa. We really couldn’t have written a better script,” he said.

The host nation’s team started off with a 1-1 draw against Mexico, the 17th-rated side in the world. South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a stunning 55th minute goal, which was the first for the 2010 World Cup.

Jordaan said the match set the tone for the rest of the tournament.“Today we have established a template for every city and every town across South Africa to celebrate this World Cup.”

Jordaan said the opening match gave him confidence from an organisational perspective.

“The match went well and all of South Africa can be proud of what we have done in front of 500 million people.”