South Africa hero Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal at the 2010 World Cup against Mexico, but what would come of the winger’s career following his debut Fifa tournament?
Tshabalala’s life changed forever 12 years ago when he became no longer just a household name in his native South Africa but all around the world. The 37-year-old burst through the El Tri defence and fired home to the sound of vuvuzelas roaring at the Soccer City stadium.
In an instant, the forward saw himself become a national treasure after kicking off the first World Cup in Africa with the opening goal of the 19th tournament. Fifa had awarded South Africa host nation honours in 2004 over rival bids from Morocco, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia.
South Africa ‘all won together’ at 2010 Fifa World Cup for Tshabalala
The 2010 World Cup would not result in lavish success on the pitch for South Africa, but its significance was beyond the results. And for Tshabalala, he told Der Spiegel in 2010 that its biggest impact was with the people of South Africa – despite exiting after the group stage.
“Most of us had never played at this high level before,” he noted on executive members of the South African football association believing the team’s performance was disappointing. “I did not expect this sort of reaction from these people.
“No sooner had we been eliminated than they saw everything in a negative light, the exact opposite of the support we experienced beforehand.
“First, they said we had totally transformed the standing of the national team and that we could be proud of ourselves. I still maintain that we brought joy to South Africans. We all won together: Blacks, whites, all South Africans.”
Tshabalala sparked joy across Africa with goal against Mexico in Johannesburg
Tshabalala sparked joy across the whole African continent with his goal against Mexico to start the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Rainbow nation broke at pace after winning possession in the middle third, to find Tshabalala charging unchallenged on the left-flank.
He took one touch to bring the ball under control and without looking up to spot the Tri’s goalkeeper, Tshabalala lifted the ball home into the far top corner with power. It was the postage stamp finish of dreams from the forward, and sent the Johannesburg crowd wild.
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Rafael Marquez would pull Mexico level in the second-half to draw 1-1, but Tshabalala had already stolen the headlines. The Soweto, Gauteng-born star would then also start against Uruguay and laid on an assist to beat France 2-1, but South Africa ended Group A in third.
Goal difference denied South Africa a place in the Round of 16, having conceded five times to three scored, while Mexico shipped two to the three they struck. It meant South Africa also became the first home nation to exit a Fifa World Cup finals following the group stage.
The Rainbow Nation have since failed to qualify for another World Cup, having missed out on places in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. While Tshabalala remained a part of the South Africa team until November 2017 when making his 91st senior international cap.
Tshabalala enjoyed 11-year Bafana Bafana career after debuting in 2006
Tshabalala first featured for South Africa on the international stage in January 2006 and hit 12 goals through his Bafana Bafana career. But neither of the forward’s goals came during Africa Cup of Nations matches, with his best AFCON result being the quarter-finals in 2013.
The 5 ft 6 dynamo also only held a regular role in South Africa’s attempts to qualify for Fifa World Cups for the 2014 edition in Brazil. He enjoyed six appearances from six games with one goal and one assist, following two games ahead of the 2010 edition and one for 2018.
Tshabalala only ventured outside of South Africa once in his domestic career
Tshabalala also only ventured outside of South Africa in his domestic career once, and now finds himself without a club at 37 years old. The winger last had a team in August 2021 and is yet to find a home after a 10-month spell with AmaZulu FC in the Premier Soccer League.
AmaZulu had given Tshabalala his return to the game following 14-months without a team after leaving BB Erzurumspor in 2019. The Turkish outfit is the sole club on Tshabalala’s CV outside of South Africa, and he only spent the one season at the Kazım Karabekir Stadium.
Tshabalala enjoyed a year in Turkey during the 2018/19 campaign after calling time on his lengthy spell with Kaizer Chiefs. He spent 11 years with the Durban giants after returning to his former academy side after spells with Alexandra United and Free State Stars in 2007.
The winger would amass more than 340 appearances for Kaizer Chiefs, along with winning the South African Premier Division title in 2012/13 and 2014/15. Tshabalala also helped Amakhosi win a South African cup during 2010/11 following his heroics at the World Cup.
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