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Cape Town - On Thursday, South Africa celebrated five years since hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Siphiwe ‘Shabba’ Tshabalala reflects on his opening goal at FNB Stadium.
“It was history in the making. I feel honoured and grateful at the same time,” said Tshabalala on Kaizer Chiefs' website about his historic goal in the opening game against Mexico on June 11.
The match took place in front of a sold out Soccer City, which at present is the home ground of Amakhosi.
Tshabalala scored the goal in the 55th minute.
Bafana Bafana won the ball in their own half and after some quick passing between Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Katlego Mphela, Teko Modise put the ball deep, behind Mexico’s defence, to ‘Shabba’ who had by then had entered the opponent’s box on the left side.
Accordingly, the Chiefs midfielder shot the ball, with his left, diagonally past the Mexican goalkeeper.
It was a beauty, allowing the whole of South Africa to celebrate.
Sadly, however, the Mexicans came back to equalise, with 1-1 being the final score.
“I still get goose bumps,” reflects ‘Shabba’ on that special moment.
“The date itself is marked by receiving messages from all quarters. It is a special day in my career.”
The Kaizer Chiefs kingpin has played 261 official matches for Amakhosi, scoring 41 goals in the process.
“I woke up this morning with my routine morning jog before relaxing with my girlfriend and child,” comments ‘Shabba’ on his day so far.
“I will just take it easy, maybe I will mark the day with a family dinner.”
