World Cup 2010: Winners Of The McDonald’s Ultimate Fan Competition Are Experiencing The Trip Of A Lifetime

Five football fanatics were given the day of their lives in South Africa courtesy of official FIFA World Cup sponsor McDonald’s and Goal.com was there to witness it all unfold!

The lucky quintet were the winners of the McDonald's Ultimate Fan Competition. The fast food giant teamed up with Goal.com to find the most devoted supporters who needed to prove their fandom by creating a slogan or a photograph to wow a panel of judges.

Aussie Nick McNeil, American Francisco Patino, Argentinean Romina Stehling, Canadian Jinder Atwal and South African Shalini Pema were treated to some rockstar treatment in Johannesburg, getting up close and personal with the trophy in a VIP fun filled day.

Goal.com's Rami Ayari accompanied the winners and their guests throughout their action packed day and files this exclusive report.

"Our day began with an informative visit to the Lesedi Cultural Village where the winners learned about the various tribes that are indigenous to South Africa. The visit allowed us to gain a better understanding of the heritage of each ethnic group, their customs, their history, and their dialects. Our tour culminated in a vibrant dance session where participants were taught the Diski dance that was produced to celebrate the joy of football in readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"Next on the agenda was a visit to the Nelson Mandela House at 8115 Orlando in West Soweto that was preceded by a delicious meal at Sakhumi’s restaurant on the only street on the planet that has produced two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates (Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu). Visiting the house and learning about what Mandela had to endure throughout his life and the subsequent positive impact he had on his country was a memorable and humbling experience for all.

"Then from Nelson Mandela’s first home of his own we moved to Nelson Mandela square for the moment that everyone was most eagerly anticipating: A photo opportunity with the FIFA World Cup! As we climbed that stairs at FIFA headquarters and reached the room housing the trophy, hardly anyone could contain their excitement at the sight of Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga’s masterpiece. All were utterly mesmerized by it, even though there was naturally a glass box separating it from us mere mortals (only dignitaries such as heads of state and players who have won the World Cup ever get to touch the real thing with their bare hands).

'I can’t believe it! That’s the WORLD CUP right there! This is just incredible,' yelled one of the winners, Jinder Atwal as his sister, Sukhi, looked on with a huge smile on her face.

"The giddiness lasted well into the night. Even as we watched the third place playoff at the McDonald’s operations HQ at the Southern Sun Hotel in Sandton, the winners still took the time to crowd around their laptops and digital cameras to look at pictures of each other with the trophy. We all took a look at the other pictures that had been taken of them on the Durban stadium pitch when they had the opportunity to have a kick about on with Bafana Bafana legend John “Shoes” Moshoeu the day after the semi final match between the Netherlands and Uruguay which all the winners attended."

The Contestants, Their Guests, and The Winning Entries

Australian winner Nick McNeil summed up the feelings for many about his epic prize in South Africa.

"The entire experience has far superseded the 90 minutes of a match. For example, we were the first people on the pitch of Durban stadium for the Uruguay Netherlands semi final since the World Cup started. It’s things like that that have made this so special”

The fun doesn't end for the winners just yet as they will enjoy another VIP day at tonight's World Cup final including standing in for the players at the official FIFA rehearsal before enjoying all the pre match hospitality and mixing with the stars before the game kicks-off. Suffice to say they are lovin' it!

* Meet the McDonald's Ultimate Fan winners and see their winning entries