The 29th Africa Cup of Nations opened in South Africa's First National Bank Stadium on Saturday, with traditional dancers taking to the pitch in a rainbow-colored ceremony amid rainy weather. Hundreds of children grabbed colorful balls and threw them on the pitch to form a giant South African flag, with fans blaring vuvuzelas in excitement.
South Africa was held to a 0-0 draw by newcomers Cape Verde in the tournament's first match before a sellout mostly home crowd of 90,000. Cape Verde earns one point for its defiant first game at a major tournament and almost scored a goal at the 13-minute mark.
South Africa, which on Saturday seemed lackluster, last won the African Cup in 1996.
In Saturday's second fixture, Morocco and Angola also drew 0-0.
See photos from the opening day below.
