A fan wearing the colors of South Africa and a portrait of Nelson Mandela cheers in the second half of an international friendly soccer match between the U.S. and the Czech Republic in East Hartford, Connecticut May 25, 2010. [Agencies]

Friday's match featuring the Bafana Bafana (The Boys, The Boys) will not wash away the mistakes of the past in 90 minutes, nor will it change South African society overnight.

But with the father of the modern nation, the frail 91-year-old Nelson Mandela, hopefully in the stands alongside Bishop Desmond Tutu, President Jacob Zuma and other men who fought to free South Africa from the shackles of the racist policies which once led to their country's banishment from world sport, the symbolism will not be lost on anyone.

South Africa has hosted many major sports events since the nation rejoined the international sporting community at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, including the rugby and cricket world cups, but nothing on the scale of soccer's premier event.

Telecommunications links have had to be installed or upgraded, new stadiums built or renovated while on Tuesday South Africa's first rapid urban train system opened in Johannesburg.

But while Friday's match is hugely symbolic and emotional it is also about something else - three World Cup points.

Victory for South Africa, who have improved dramatically under returning Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and are unbeaten in their last 12 matches, would naturally give the hosts the perfect start to their Group A campaign.

Mexico, however, have also been in excellent form recently -- playing well in narrow defeats to England and the Netherlands and beating world champions Italy 2-1 in Brussels last week.

Coach Javier Aguirre said his Mexico side was among the best the country had produced but on Friday they will face far more than just eleven opponents on the other side of the field.