双语新闻：南非星期五上演世界杯开幕赛

World Cup Kickoff Two Days Away

南非星期五上演世界杯开幕赛

Six years after football's world governing body FIFA announced South Africa as the site of the 2010 World Cup, the host nation is bursting with pride as the final details fall into place before Friday's opening kickoff in Johannesburg.

南非世界杯足球赛决赛阶段比赛的准备工作已经就位。六年前，国际足联宣布2010年世界杯将在南非主办。目前主办国的民众群情激奋、满怀自豪地迎接星期五约翰内斯堡的开幕比赛。

Organizers say they are ready for the first World Cup tournament ever to be held on the African continent.

世界杯筹委会说，他们已经准备好迎接非洲大陆上有史以来的首次世界杯赛。

South African players said Wednesday that their tournament-opening match against Mexico Friday would be the most significant game of their careers.

南非球员星期三表示，他们星期五与墨西哥之间的开幕赛将是他们职业生涯中意义最为重大的一场赛事。

South Africa hopes hosting the World Cup will help eliminate negative impressions about the country left over from the era of apartheid.

南非希望，通过主办这次世界杯，能够帮助消除南非自种族隔离时期遗留下来的负面形象。

More than 90,000 fans are expected to attend the opening game at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.

九万多名球迷预期将在约翰内斯堡的足球城体育场观看本届世界杯的开幕赛。