Bafana Bafana's Siphiwe Tshabalala scored one of the most iconic Fifa World Cup goals with this strike in the 2010 opener on home soil against Mexico.
Image: AFP
Peter Drury’s iconic description of the 2010 Fifa World Cup opening goal — “Goal Bafana Bafana. Goal for South Africa. Goal for All Africa” — still resonates deeply with goalscorer Siphiwe Tshabalala, who adds that the strike will outlive him.
Bafana Bafana will return to the World Cup in North America this month, 16 years after they hosted the global showpiece on home soil in the first tournament to be held on the African continent.
Coincidentally, Bafana are in for a historical repeat of that 2010 edition. They will face co-hosts Mexico in the opening game of the tournament at the Azteca Stadium on June 11 — matching the exact opening fixture and calendar date from back home.
While that legendary fixture at the FNB Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw, the highlight of Tshabalala scoring the opening goal of the tournament still lives on. Echoing the sentiment of the famous English commentator, Drury, the winger believes that the strike was truly generational.
“It was a special, special goal for the nation. It was a special goal for Africa. It was the first World Cup for Africa on home soil. So, to have an African score the first goal of the World Cup set the tone,” said Tshabalala, speaking at Bafana’s Fan Send-off Party, hosted by sponsors Castle a few days ago.
“There was a lot of value and sentiment to the goal. I always say that goal will outlive me. It was a big moment. I delivered on a big stage where the world was watching. So, it was a true highlight.”
With the goal arriving after Bafana disrupted a Mexican attack, Tshabalala looks back in time to describe the sequence in his own words.
“It was a team goal,” Tshabalala agreed. “If you check the clip again, we were defending. As soon as Aaron [Mokoena] intercepted the ball, it was quick touches. The only player who had two touches was Katlego [Mphela]. Yeye [Reneilwe Letsholonyane] and KG [Kagiso Dikgacoi] made a two and one-touch pass respectively. I was ready as well because I anticipated it. The first touch and the composure were great. So, I just hit the top corner. The rest is history.”
The goal has fundamentally changed Tshabalala’s life. He has earned permanent recognition and respect from football fans across the globe, supplementing that with strong discipline and focus to become a global ambassador and role model.
However, the same level of enduring spotlight cannot be said for the assist provider on the day, Kagiso Dikgacoi. “KG” earned a move to English Premier League side Fulham shortly after the tournament, before spending time at Crystal Palace, eventually hanging up his boots back home to venture into coaching.
The lack of mainstream limelight directed toward Dikgacoi’s critical contribution has often been criticised by pundits. However, Dikgacoi, also speaking at the Fan Send-off, acknowledged that the historic moment was the fruit of a collective team effort, while lauding Tshabalala for the execution.
“If you remember well, Mexico were piling a lot of pressure on us. I remember at half-time, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira told us that they were playing a counter-pressure game with a very high defensive line,” Dikgacoi said. “He told us if we can manage to win the ball and exploit the spaces, there’ll be gaps behind.
“When I saw Shabba make the run, I didn’t have to think twice. There was a high line and space in between the defence, so I could only slide the ball through. What a great goal it was from Shabba.”
Granted, he might not be hogging the global spotlight, but Dikgacoi is humbled by Tshabalala, who remains deeply grateful to him for the pass to this day.
“He always congratulates and thanks me for the pass,” Dikgacoi revealed. “We often talk and share the memories.”