Former Bafana Bafana star Siphiwe Tshabalala believes South Africa’s qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup will offer local players a rare opportunity to gain global exposure and make a name for themselves.

Tshabalala knows exactly what that stage can do for a player’s career. He famously scored the opening goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Mexico at FNB Stadium — a thunderous strike with his left foot that flew into the far corner and became one of the tournament’s most iconic moments.

Although Bafana Bafana became the first host nation to fail to progress beyond the group stages — a record later matched by Qatar in 2022 — Tshabalala’s goal made him a household name both in South Africa and around the world.

Since “retiring”, Tshabalala has continued to make his mark off the field. He was recently appointed to the inaugural FIFA Players Executive Programme, where he worked alongside some of the game’s biggest former stars. His role also saw him participate in the FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States in July.

South Africa’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks their first appearance at the global showpiece since hosting it in 2010 — and their first qualification on merit since the 2002 tournament in Korea and Japan.

“It’s a significant moment for all South Africans,” Tshabalala told Sportswire in Durban.

“You know, Bafana Bafana is now qualifying for the World Cup after such a long time. Congratulations to the national team — they deserve it. They have earned it.

“And, you know, the big platform. When you talk about the World Cup, I mean, that’s the highest level. There’s nothing beyond that in terms of the national football team.  

“So, it’s a platform that will give players to, you know, show themselves and make a name for themselves with their potential and hope that, you know, some of them will get their big break of playing abroad. 
 

“And yeah, I mean, the national team; they deserve it. They’ve been doing really, really well under the guidance of coach, Hugo Broos, and Hellman Mkhalele [assistant].”  

Tshabalala — who was named the 2010 SAFA Footballer of the Year, earned 89 caps (70 starts, 19 as a substitute), and scored 12 goals for Bafana Bafana — believes the qualification will raise the level of competition locally as players fight for a spot in the World Cup squad.

“It’s important — at the moment, no one is guaranteed a place,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs winger, who won the club’s Player of the Season award three times.

“The door is not closed. So, everyone must push, and subsequently, you know, it will help the standard of our football to be competitive as well. 
 

“So, everyone has a chance, regardless of the team they play for.”