Opening goal loading? 2010 World Cup star passes baton to Bafana player
· The South African
South African soccer supporters are hoping to watch history repeat itself after Simphiwe Tshabalala – who scored the opening goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup game against Mexico – passed the proverbial baton to Bafana player, Relebohile Mofokeng.
Visit afnews.co.za for more information.
As they did 16 years ago, South Africa will play Mexico in an opening match of the tournament, set to take place on 11 June. Interestingly, the same squads that faced off in 2010 will meet again in a friendly match.
SIMPHIWE TSHABALALA SPREADS HOPE TO YOUNG BAFANA STAR
In a spoof video, former Springbok star Simphiwe Tshabalala was seen embracing young Bafana Bafana star, Relebohile Mofokeng, who is currently bound to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in Mexico, Canada and the US.
The comedic video saw the 2010 World Cup star sign an autograph for the 21-year-old, who has already been earmarked to perform well in the tournament.
“Congratulations, son”, Simphiwe captioned the clip.
Despite its fun nature, many soccer supporters saw it as a sign that history could repeat itself at South Africa’s opening match against Mexico.
View this post on Instagram
As Simphiwe scored the opening goal of the tournament in 2010, fans are hoping that Rele could do the same in just a few weeks.
Under the post were comments like:
“You know what you need to go and do with those powers”
“He just gave you Wakanda powers to score an opening goal, my boy!”
“He’s giving you his mojo to score the opening goal!”
2010 SQUADS TO FACE OFF
The 2025 FIFA World Cup will take place between 11 June and 19 July. A total of 48 countries will participate, with 104 matches across 16 stadiums.
Bafana Bafana is scheduled to play three group stage matches against Mexico, Czechia and South Korea on 11, 18 and 25 June. Bafana Bafana has never progressed past the group stage of the tournament.
Before the FIFA World Cup kicks off, the original squad from the 2010 South Africa vs Mexico opening match, which took place at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium (formerly Soccer City), will play a friendly match in Pachuca, Mexico
The match is being facilitated by SAFA and the South African Masters and Legends Football Association.
Fans can expect to see retired players like Itumeleng Khune, Aaron Mokoena, Matthew Booth, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, and Bernard Parker, amongst others, return to the pitch.