By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Siphiwe Tshabalala (C) of South Africa celebrates scoring the first goal with team mates during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group A match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City Stadium on June 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Clive Mason).
South Africa hosted Mexico in an enthralling encounter in Johannesburg and the 80,000 capacity stadium nearly erupted when Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring ten minutes into the second half.
Teko Modise played a one-two with a teammate in midfield and upon receiving the ball just inside the Mexico half, sprayed a defence-splitting ball through to the galloping Tshabalala down the left.
There was no way Mexico were catching the former Kaizer Chiefs speedster and after arriving in the box, Tshabalala smashed the ball into the far corner with his sweet left foot, leaving Oscar Perez with absolutely no chance.
The scenes were just incredible – with Peter Drury, the man to capture special moments, capturing it beautifully.
“GOAL BAFANA BAFANA! GOAL FOR SOUTH AFRICA! GOAL FOR ALL OF AFRICA. REJOICE!” – was Drury’s memorable line, just as the South African players lined up and started throwing some serious shapes.
Video Courtesy of FIFA.
Mexico would go on to equalise in the 79th minute through Rafael Marquez that didn’t put a dampener on what was an moment of ecstasy and euphoria for a country littered with such racial segregation and apartheid for a while.