A night that had begun with a magical atmosphere turned sour for the home crowd as South Africa is practically out of the World Cup. Crowds left early and the beautiful noise of our vuvezela were for once silenced by a 3-0 defeat thanks to Swiss referee, Massimo Busacca.

Although the red card Busacca dished out to Bafana Bafana's goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was a poor decicsion, it was NOT the reason why South Africa lost. Uruguay was head and shoulders above South Africa, and it looked like Bafana found the added pressure of playing at the South African Rugby's spiritual home too much.

Uruguay controlled large stretches of the game while Bafana lacked momentum and attacking potency. It was evident from the fact that South Africa's first shot at goal came in the 68th minute—such was Uruguay's suffocating play.

Twenty-four minutes into the game Bafana was stunned by a Diego Forlan goal, he added the late penalty while a last-minute header from Alvaro Pereira rubbed brought the curtains down on a South African dream.

The defeat was the worst for a host nation since Mexico lost 4-1 at home to Italy in the 1970 quarterfinal and Bafana is likely to become the first host nation who does not make it pass the first round.

For South Africa to qualify, they need France to draw with Mexico. Then Bafana would need Uruguay to either draw or beat Mexico before they, themselves need to beat France in their final game.

Very unlikely but South African fans will keep on dreaming…