Agreed: In defence of the vuvuzela

Cheering and painting your face are standard practice for any self-respecting football fan.

In Europe, fans can turn a stadium into a cauldron of noise by singing, chanting and setting off flares.

In Africa, they tend to bang the drum and dance while others have little trouble whistling for 90 minutes.

In South Africa, not many people will take your football credentials seriously if you turn up at the stadium without a vuvuzela.

So why all the fuss about this plastic trumpet?

Unique to South Africa, the vuvuzela appears to have put the wind up many people - especially in Europe.

The electrifying atmosphere generated by the ubiquitous instrument at the ongoing Confederations Cup has left many of the onlookers spell bound.

But many in Europe say the incessant blowing in the terraces is irritating and have complained that it is drowning out their TV commentators.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter revealed this week that broadcasters want the instrument banned at next year's World Cup.

But to his eternal credit, the Fifa chief also sprang to the defence of the humble trumpet, saying people must accept that it is part and parcel of football in South Africa.

"That is what African and South Africa football is all about - noise, excitement, dancing, shouting and enjoyment," said the most powerful man in world football.

I could not have put it better myself. Banning the vuvuzela would take away the distinctiveness of a South African World Cup.

It is a recognised sound of football in South Africa and is absolutely essential for an authentic South African footballing experience.

After all, what would be the point of taking the World Cup to Africa, and then trying to give it a European feel?

Let us all embrace the vuvuzela and whatever else a South African World Cup throws at us.

The fact that some in Europe find it irritating is no reason to get rid of it. 

By Farayi Mungazi (BBC Sport)

agreed.