* Bafana’s first goal of the tournament sensationally scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 55th minute wasn’t just a goal — it was, as the iconic commentary echoed, a ‘Goal for South Africa! Goal for all of Africa’
* Exactly 16 years later, history has produced a script that even the most seasoned Hollywood writer would find poetic as the 2010 Legends rally behind new Bafana Bafana generation
* The match will kick off 21h00 CAT to be live on SuperSport on DStv Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus, Premium, DStv Stream, and GOtv
Maravi Express
Tonight’s opening match of the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 between Bafana Bafana and Mexico is a case of déjà vu of the of the script of South Africa 2010 edition hosted by African continent for the first time-ever.
The tournament’s opening goal in the 55th minute, was sensationally scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 55th minute and it wasn’t just a goal — it was, as the iconic commentary echoed, a ‘Goal for South Africa! Goal for all of Africa’.
After receiving a perfectly timed pass from Kagisho Dikgacoi, midfielder Tshabalala hit a powerful, left-footed rocket into the far top corner of Oscar Pérez’s net, which produced an unforgettable touchline dance celebration.
Exactly 16 years later, history has reproduced a script that even the most seasoned Hollywood writer would find poetic.
With Bafana Bafana standing on the precipice of a highly anticipated return to the global stage, SuperSport has brought together the icons who were on the pitch against Mexico in 2010 to share their raw insights, tactical warnings, and deep-seated pride for the modern-day squad.
For Siphiwe ‘Shabba’ Shabalala, the 2026 draw felt like a cosmic wink, and says it sent chills down his spine: “It was very exciting. I didn’t expect it — it felt like a moment of déjà vu, almost like a return leg in Mexico,” Tshabalala told SuperSport.
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“I am really looking forward to the match. It is the kind of game that will attract a lot of attention and excitement, with high expectations.
“We will go into the game as underdogs, which means there will be more pressure on Mexico to deliver. However, I am strongly optimistic that we can cause an upset.
“I have had many highlights in my career, but the World Cup stands out as one of the most significant experiences. There is nothing bigger than the FIFA World Cup; it is the biggest stage in football.
“To have the opportunity to play, perform well, and even score while the world is watching is truly remarkable. I hope one of our players gets to experience that feeling.”
Looking at the wider global landscape, Shabalala expects the traditional powerhouses like Spain, France, and England to challenge, but he has a keen eye on romantic endings and African disruption.
“It could be a strong tournament for Africa. Ghana is back, Senegal has a strong squad, and it would be encouraging to see African teams reach the knockout stages.
“Once you reach that stage, anything can happen,” Shabba notes in reference to the 10 African representatives, which include Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and DR Congo.
“And you still have Argentina, the defending champions… and Portugal. I think this might be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last shot at the World Cup. He deserves something. Messi got that reward, and it really did justice to his career and everything he has done for football.”
Former rock-solid defender, Bongani Khumalo expressed immense pride in how the current generation forced their way onto the global stage, while emphasising just how much a World Cup appearance can alter a player’s life trajectory.
Former Bafana Bafana defender Bongani Khumalo. (Credit: Getty Images)
“First of all, I mean, they’ve made us proud. They’ve inspired people to play because of the World Cup. So, thanks to the modern-day squad.
“And obviously, you know, they’ve done it the hard way — they’ve had to go qualify. It just speaks to the talent pool that we currently have and the type of players we’ve produced over the years. It’s very encouraging.
“There’s immense excitement that another generation gets to play, opening games especially. We were told there’d be over a billion people watching it. Literally the whole world is watching.
“How many players can be fortunate enough to say that, unless you’re playing in a Champions League final? It’s a great position for those players to be in, especially if you consider the shop window. I mean, obviously, I got my opportunity to play thanks to the World Cup. So, so many opportunities.”
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However, Khumalo balances his excitement with a stark, visceral warning about the sheer physical and mental toll of tournament football:
“It’s very difficult for you to paint the picture before the tournament has actually started.
“But the plus is, we do have youngsters. They just need to be very, very, very competitive. The World Cup is tougher. One insight I can tell you is that a lot of guys, physically after the first game, even though we were very fit and had been in camp for months, felt the effects.
“Now the question is, have our players been tested enough within the domestic leagues? Because that’s what a World Cup does — it drains you. It’s a different type of thing.
“It is like chess on steroids. It doesn’t play at a consistent pace like you’re used to at club level. It plays at different sorts of tempos and levels.
“You can lose concentration so fast, and the next thing, the game’s gone. So, players have to learn very, very fast.”
For lethal striker Katlego ‘Killer’ Mphela, seeing the South African flag flying high again evokes deep emotion, taking him back to his own journey from the townships to footballing royalty.
Katlego ‘Killer’ Mphela during the match against Mexico in 2010. (Credit: Gallo Images)
“I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to it. As you know, we haven’t qualified for the World Cup in such a long time, and for them to qualify the way they did, it’s amazing, and we’re proud of the boys.
“Hopefully they’ll make the nation proud by going through to the next round. For me, it was a dream come true. For a little boy that comes from humble beginnings, it was a dream come true.
“Also, representing my country in our own backyard in front of 50+ million people was a proud moment for me. We can only thank God because how many soccer players get this opportunity? I was one of the luckiest players to participate in the World Cup.
“It was truly amazing to see all the people united because of one thing: football. And I still think about it even today,” says Mphela, who believes the expanded format gives Bafana Bafana a massive opportunity, but notes that tactical focus cannot be derailed by looking too far ahead.
“They have a tough group, but I think with this bunch of players, there’s something different about them. They’ve played international tournaments before the World Cup, and I still think there’s a chance of going through to the next stage, especially because the World Cup has been expanded.
“But it’s going to be a tough one. They mustn’t make the mistake that we did in 2010 when we were worried about France and anxious about Mexico, not knowing that Uruguay would actually be the toughest opponent.”
Another former defender Matthew Booth pointed out that Bafana’s recent success on the continent has laid the perfect foundation for a global psychological breakthrough, ending 15 years of difficult conversations with fans on the street.
Matthew Booth in an International friendly against Guatemala at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on May 31, 2010. (Gallo Images)
“It’s really awesome for us to be back where we belong. I think it was important for us to get a couple of AfCONs under our belts and do well there, just to give us a bit of confidence going onto this world stage.
“Even though it is an expanded format, it’s still a very difficult thing to do to qualify, especially on the continent. There are some really tough teams, and it’s great to be back.
“For me personally, being associated with Bafana Bafana, the conversation always comes up whether it’s at the petrol station or in the shop.
“So, I must be honest, for the last sort of 15 years, it’s been a difficult conversation whenever you have that conversation. Now, there’s a bit of pride back, and we can speak about the national team with our chest out.”
Booth also reflected beautifully on how the legendary 2010 Sandton street parade shattered their isolation and made the squad realise the magnitude of what they were playing for.
“Leading up to the World Cup, we were very much cocooned. We were not exposed to the South African public that much. So, to go and experience that parade, even though it received a little criticism because people thought we were celebrating before the World Cup, I thought it was actually a good thing for us to have gone and just bring back the importance of the occasion.
“I think that just brought it home, the fact that the expectations and support behind us were massive. I had very mixed feelings going in, knowing that I probably wasn’t going to play as Aaron Mokoena and Morgan Gould were the two number one picks, but still having to play quite an important supporting role.
“Looking ahead, I see a point with Mexico, and our second game we can take it.”
The match will kick off 21h00 CAT to be live on SuperSport on DStv Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus, Premium, DStv Stream, and GOtv.—Reporting by SuperSport; edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
