Dikgacoi Reflects On Tshabalala’s Assist In 2010
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi says he completely understands why he rarely gets credit for assisting Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic goal against Mexico in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, praising the former Kaizer Chiefs star’s execution as flawless.
Tshabalala’s legendary strike on 11 June 2010, at FNB Stadium, fundamentally transformed his life, propelling him into global football circles where he regularly rubs shoulders with international legends.
In April 2025, that enduring legacy even saw “Shabba” appointed to the inaugural FIFA Players Executive Programme.
The goal itself was born from a brilliant midfield transition. Dikgacoi, the former Crystal Palace midfielder, threaded a perfectly weighted, searching pass into space for Tshabalala.
The winger rifled a powerful, rising shot across the face of goal, leaving Mexican goalkeeper Óscar Pérez utterly stranded as the ball rocketed into the roof of the net. Although the strike sent the nation into raptures, Rafael Márquez later found an equalizer to rescue a 1-1 draw for Mexico.
Sixteen years later, the roles are perfectly reversed. While South Africa hosted the showpiece back then, Mexico is now set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and the United States, kicking off next month.
In a poetic twist of fate, Mexico will once again face Bafana Bafana in the tournament’s opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11.
“I would say the goal itself from Shabba was just spectacular; the execution was perfect,” Dikgacoi said during a Castle Lager send-off event for the national team on Saturday.
“The main factor that keeps it so popular is that it was the first-ever World Cup goal scored on African soil. That historical context is what draws so much attention to it. But we also have to credit the other players who contributed to the build-up. Rather than singling out individuals, it was a testament to our group tactics. Both offensively and defensively, everyone played a huge role in creating that moment.”
Following their June 11 opener against Mexico, Bafana Bafana will face the Czech Republic on 18 June before wrapping up Group A against South Korea on 25 June.
Reflecting on the tactical shift that triggered the legendary 2010 goal, Dikgacoi recalled how they managed to exploit Mexico’s aggressive tactical setup.
“If you remember well, Mexico piled an immense amount of pressure on us in the first half,” Dikgacoi explained.
“At halftime, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira warned us that they were using a very aggressive counter-press paired with a high defensive line.
“When we won the ball back, we knew that high line would leave gaps behind them. The moment I saw Shabba trigger his run, I didn’t have to think twice. There was acres of space behind their center-backs, so I just slid the ball between the defenders. The rest was just pure magic from Shabba.”
In 2010, Bafana Bafana followed that draw with a painful 3-0 defeat to Uruguay in Pretoria before famously beating France 2-1 in their final group match in Bloemfontein.
Ultimately, four points were not enough to progress, making South Africa the first host nation in history to exit in the group stage—a heartbreak later mirrored by Qatar in 2022.
