(CNN) -- Jacob Zuma insists the World Cup has already brought South Africa closer together, five days before the tournament begins. The South African president says football fervor has gripped the nation ahead of the opening on game on Friday, which sees South Africa take on Mexico at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. And Zuma is hoping the month-long competition can have the same benefit for the nation as the Rugby World Cup did in 1995. "The enthusiasm, joy and excitement that has engulfed the entire nation in recent weeks has not been witnessed since president Nelson Mandela was released from prison [in 1990]," Zuma told a press conference.
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South African president Jacob Zuma insists the World Cup is uniting the nation
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Zuma says the national pride on show is of "priceless benefit"
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The World Cup begins on Friday when South African play Mexico
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Zuma says he hopes former president Nelson Mandela will attend the World Cup
"The South African flag has become the most popular item on the shopping list of @placeholder and this augurs well for our nation-building."