Bafana Bafana’s 2010 World Cup squad: Where are they now?

When South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010, the eyes of the world were on Bafana Bafana.

For the first time, football’s biggest showpiece had come to African soil – and the hosts were determined to leave a lasting impression. Led by Brazilian tactician Carlos Alberto Parreira and captained by Aaron “Mbazo” Mokoena, the squad carried the hopes of an entire continent.

Although Bafana ultimately fell short of reaching the knockout stages, they produced moments that will live forever in South African sporting history. None more so than Siphiwe Tshabalala’s thunderbolt against Mexico in the tournament opener – a goal that sent Soccer City, and the nation, into delirium. Their 2-1 win over France in the final group match ensured they bowed out with pride, finishing with three more points than the 2006 finalists.

It was a team that blended youth and experience. Seasoned campaigners like Mokoena, MacBeth Sibaya, and Siyabonga Nomvethe shared a dressing room with rising stars such as Itumeleng Khune, Bongani Khumalo, and Steven Pienaar. The balance reflected a transitional era for South African football – one that sought to merge the flair of the past with the professionalism demanded by the modern game.

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For many players, the tournament served as a springboard. Khune’s heroics – and infamous red card – marked the beginning of a long international career. Others, like Bernard Parker and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, cemented their places as domestic legends. Even those who didn’t feature prominently, such as Shuaib Walters and Lance Davids, carried the pride of representing their country at a home World Cup – an honour few athletes ever experience.

Fifteen years later, the class of 2010 remains a cherished part of South Africa’s football story. Some have gone on to coaching, others into business, television, or community work. A few, like the late Anele Ngcongca, are remembered with deep affection and sadness. Here’s a look back at the men who formed Bafana Bafana’s 2010 World Cup squad – and where life has taken them since that unforgettable winter on home soil.

Itumeleng Khune (Goalkeeper, 22 years old)

Khune, he man who would become a club icon at Kaizer Chiefs, was just 22 years old in 2010. Despite his young age, he had already cemented his place as the first choice in the side. In 2009, Khune received the highest praise from the likes of Pepe Reina and Iker Casillas, who were impressed with his showing during the Confederations Cup. In South Africa’s second game against Uruguay, Khune made history by becoming only the second goalkeeper to be sent off during a World Cup match. As a result, he missed the 2-1 win over France. After the tournament, Khune grew into his role, and was named team captain in 2013. He went on to earn 91 caps, placing him second overall on the list of South Africa’s most capped players. While he still hasn’t announced his retirement from the game, he is into his second year without a club after leaving Chiefs. Over the last two seasons, he has worked as a television analyst for SABC, has an impressive property portfolio, and is involved in the construction business.

Moeneeb Josephs (Goalkeeper, 30 years old)

Slimkat was two years into his Orlando Pirates career when the World Cup came around in 2010. At the tournament, he was not expected to see much game time, but after Itumeleng Khune was shown a red card in Bafana’s second game against Uruguay, he played the remaining 10 minutes of that game. And when Bafana beat France 2-1 in their last game of the tournament, Josephs was in goal for the full 90 minutes. He went on to earn 24 caps, and hung up his boots in 2019 after a year with AmaZulu. Since then, he’s remained involved in the game as a coach. After working as the goalkeeper coach for AmaZulu, Josephs was appointed in the same role by the Kenya national team earlier this year, working alongside another Bafana Bafana great, Benni McCarthy.  

Shuaib Walters (Goalkeeper, 28 years old)

The former Maritzburg United shotstopper is the only member of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup who never played an official international. Despite this, he had a very good career, spending the majority of it with the Team of Choice in KwaZulu-Natal. He played the final game of his career for Cape Town City, but it was at Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) where he retired. Since then, he’s worked on his coaching qualifications, and is currently the head of goalkeeper youth coaching at Mamelodi Sundowns. He is also the founder of the Shuaib Walters GK academy.

Siboniso Gaxa (Defender, 26 years old)

The former SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs star was one of the most dependable right backs in South African football at the time. Gaxa was known for his passing ability, as his consistency, technical ability and maturity. He finished his career with 57 international caps, and retired in 2018 after half a season with Ajax Cape Town. Throughout his career, Gaxa spent his time outside of football studying. He graduated from Wits University in 2018 with a degree in political science and social studies. Four years later, he attained a law degree. Since 2022, he’s worked as the operations and legal manager for Brand Arc Football, and is the founder of the Pa Gaxa Foundation.

Tsepo Masilela (Defender, 25 years old)

After starting his career with Hellenic and Benoni Premier United, Tsepo Masilela was attached to Israeli club Maccabi Haifa when the World Cup arrived. As a result, he was one of the few South Africans who were playing in the UEFA Champions League. During the tournament, he came off the bench in the opener against Mexico, but played the full 90 minutes against Uruguay and France. After the World Cup, he spent a year in Spain with Getafe, before returning to South Africa with Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu, where he would retire in 2022. His brother is recently retired Orlando Pirates star Innocent Maela. After retiring, Masilela was, according to reports, involved in the mining industry. He was also working towards his coaching badges.

Aaron Mokoena (Defender, captain, 29 years old)

The captain of the team, Aaron Mokoena became the first ever – and still the only –  South African to win 100 international caps. The tournament was also Mbazo’s second World Cup. Having played in England’s Premier League for four years for Blackburn Rovers, Mokoena was one of the key players going into the World Cup. He started all three games, and played the full 90 minutes. He is one of only four South Africans to have six appearances at the World Cup. The others are Lucas Radebe, Benni McCarthy and Quinton Fortune. He played another three times for Bafana after the tournament. After spending some time as Cape Town City’s assistant coach, Mokoena is now a SAFA scout and SABC television pundit. He is also the founder of the Aaron Mokoena Sport Academy.  

Anele Ngcongca (Defender, 22 years old)

In the lead up to the tournament, the then 22-year-old Ngcongca was relatively unknown to South Africans at the time as he had been playing his football in Belgium. After not featuring at all in South Africa’s first two games, he started the third game against France as coach Carlos Alberto Perreira shook things up. He impressed in the game, and went on to become a regular fixture in the national team. At club level, he spent six years at Genk, playing alongside the likes of Kevin de Bruyne. In 2016, Ngcongca returned to South Africa to play for Mamelodi Sundowns, where he would stay for four years. After struggling for regular game time during the 2020/21 season, Ngcongca moved to AmaZulu on loan. Six days after completing the move, he was killed in a car crash in KwaZulu-Natal.

Matthew Booth (Defender, 33 years old)

Having been withdrawn before the tournament going into the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, Boooooooth fortunately made the cut for 2010. Unfortunately, in Aaron Mokoena and Bongani Khumalo, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira had settled pairing, meaning Booth didn’t play a single minute. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 when the tournament rolled around, Booth would continue playing at club level after 2010. He spent two seasons at Ajax Cape Town, before ending his career at Bidvest Wits. Booth now works as a football pundit for SuperSport, a consultant for Artificial Grass SA, and is involved in youth development through his organisation, Booth Education and Sports Africa. He also serves on disciplinary committee panels for the Premier Soccer League and the SA Institute for a Drug-Free Sport.

Lucas Thwala (Defender, 28 years old)

Thwala came through the youth team ranks at Orlando Pirates, and by the time of the 2010 World Cup, he was one of the most accomplished left backs in the country. He started the opener against Mexico, but lost his place in the team to Tsepo Masilela for the remaining two games. After the World Cup, injuries took their toll on Thwala, and he was forced into retirement at the age of 33 after a season with SuperSport United. After hanging up his boots, Thwala fell on hard times, and in November 2024, he gave an interview to Kick Off, saying he had been without an income since retiring in 2013.

Bongani Khumalo (Defender, 23 years old)

The Eswatini-born defender started his career with the University of Pretoria, before going on to become a household name at SuperSport United. His performances at the heart of defence for Matsatsantsa saw him cement his place as the national team’s first choice centre back alongside skipper Aaron Mokoena. The eyes of the world were on the then 23-year-old and he impressed in the opener against Mexico, and against France, where he scored Bafana’s opening goal in a 2-1 win. The following year, he secured a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, but he struggled to find his place, and spent five years on loan at various clubs. In 2015, he moved back to SuperSport, but wasn’t the same player. After struggling for game time, he moved to Bidvest Wits, played his last game in 2018 before retiring quietly. In total, he earned a total of 42 international caps. Khumalo can now be seen on television screens as a football pundit for SuperSport. He also serves as a director for a manufacturing company called USP.

Siyabonga Sangweni (Defender, 28 years old)

Siyabonga Sangweni was known for his composure under pressure, his ability in the air, and good leadership qualities. But because Aaron Mokoena and Bongani Khumalo formed a strong partnership at the back, Sangweni, who was playing for Golden Arrows at the time, didn’t play a single minute at the 2010 World Cup. After the tournament, he moved to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, and would cement his place as one of the best defenders in local football. His career, unfortunately, came to an early end in 2016 when he was forced into retirement after a string of injuries. After retiring, “Ntsimbi” remained involved in football, and launched the Siyabonga Sangweni Youth Month Festival. Recently, he’s been appointed by former club Orlando Pirates as assistant coach of their DStv Diski Challenge team.  

MacBeth Sibaya (Midfielder, 32 years old)

A star of South Africa’s 2002 World Cup campaign in Korea and Japan where he was on the field for every single minute, an older Sibaya played just once in 2010. He missed South Africa’s opening two games against Mexico and Uruguay, but was on the park for the full 90 minutes in their win over France. The veteran midfielder was in the final of his seven years with Russian outfit Rubin Kazan, and had been featuring regularly in the UEFA Champions League. After the tournament, he returned to South Africa to play for Moroka Swallows, and he eventually retired in 2013. Since retiring, Sibaya has remained within the game. He started his coaching career at SuperSport United, where he worked with the reserves. After that, he was one of the key figures at KZN Academy. Sibaya was most recently attached to Durban City. Outside of football, Sibaya and his wife run their own farm in KwaZulu-Natal.

Lance Davids (Midfielder, 25 years old)

Early on in his career, Lance Davids was seen as one of the most exciting young prospects in world football after coming through the ranks at German club 1860 Munich. After a year in Germany and two in Sweden, Davids returned to South Africa in 2009 in order to be more visible to Bafana coaches, and it worked. A year with Ajax Cape Town convinced Carlos Alberto Parreira to include him in the World Cup squad. Unfortunately, he didn’t play a single minute as the team were eliminated from the first round. After briefly returning to Europe after the World Cup, he was back in South Africa in 2013, playing once again for Ajax Cape Town. He retired from football in 2015, aged just 30 years old. Since calling time on his career, Davids has been working as a football agent, and is currently based in Belgium.

Siphiwe Tshabalala (Midfielder, 25 years old)

When you think about the 2010 Word Cup, the image of Siphiwe Tshabalala celebrating his goal in the tournament opener between Bafana Bafana and Mexico is the first memory that comes into your mind. That moment, plus Peter Drury’s commentary, remain one of the most iconic in the history of the tournament. Aged 25 and capped 48 times, Shabba was one of the most important players in South African football, and started and played the full 90 minutes in all three of Bafana’s games. After the World Cup, he continued being key for club Kaizer Chiefs and the national team. He earned 90 caps, placing him third on the list of most capped Bafana Bafana players after Aaron Mokoena and Itumeleng Khune. Since calling time on his playing career, Shabba has founded the Siphiwe Tshabalala Foundation. He is also the brand ambassador for Betway.

Thanduyise Khuboni (Midfielder, 24 years old)

Khuboni didn’t play in South Africa’s opening two games, but started the match against France and went on to play 78 minutes as the hosts won 2-1. After the World Cup, Khuboni continued to be selected for the national team, although he would never hold on to a regular place. He won the last of his 26 caps in 2014. After leaving Golden Arrows in the same year, he spent time with Mpumalanga Black Aces and Highlands Park before ending his professional career with Uthongathi. Last year, Khuboni was reportedly still active as a footballer in South Africa’s amateur ranks.

Surprise Moriri (Midfielder, 30 years old)

Aged 30, Surprise Moriri was a star player for Mamelodi Sundowns as they dominated domestic football, and although he wasn’t a regular starter for the national team, a lot of eyes were on him going into the World Cup. Unfortunately, due to the competition in the middle of the park, meant he only saw 33 minutes of action. His appearance off the bench in the 3-0 loss to Uruguay was the last time he wore the Bafana jersey. He continued to play for Sundowns until 2016. And after one year at Highlands Park, he called time on his career. Since retiring, he’s returned to Sundowns as a youth team coach.

Steven Pienaar (Midfielder, 28 years old)

As one of the most gifted players in England’s Premier League at the time, Pienaar was the most well known player globally in the South African team. Because of that, a lot of eyes were on him, and he didn’t disappoint. It was his pass in the opening goal against Mexico that led to Siphiwe Tshabalala scoring one of the most iconic goals in the history of South African football. As expected, he played in all three games.  He continued being an important part of the team after the tournament, and was appointed captain in 2012.  He eventually retired in 2018 having played for Ajax Amsterdam, Borussia Dortmund, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Bidvest Wits. After retiring, he began his coaching career in the lower leagues in the Netherlands, before working for Ajax’s youth team. Last year, it was reported the 43-year-old was working as a youth coach for Sharjah FC in the United Arab Emirates.

Teko Modise (Midfielder, 27 years old)

Going into the World Cup, all of Bafana Bafana’s hopes hindered on how Teko Modise played as “The General” was one of the most gifted footballers on the continent after starring in the black and white of Orlando Pirates. Unfortunately, Modise wasn’t at his best at the World Cup. After starting the games against Mexico and Uruguay, he was relegated to the bench for the 2-1 win over France. Two years after the World Cup, his international career was over. But at club level, he was just getting started. In 2014, he won his first league title with Sundowns, and repeated it again two years later in 2016, the same year the club eventually won the CAF Champions League. He eventually retired in 2019 after two good years with Cape Town City. Modise has remained very visible in football, and currently works as a television pundit and commentator, as well as an ambassador for Sundowns and Hollywoodbets. He is also the CEO of talent management agency The Prestigious Group.

Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Midfielder, 28 years old)

Yeye was a stylish midfielder who made the game look simple. He was known for his intelligence, composure, and flair, and often dictated the rhythm for Kaizer Chiefs’ and Bafana Bafana’s play, slowing things down or quickening transitions as needed. He was also consistent, reliable, and rarely made poor decisions off the ball. He started Bafana’s first two games and missed the third one against France.

Kagisho Dikgacoi (Midfielder, 25 years old)

Holding midfielder Dikgacoi, who was playing for Fulham in the Premier League, was physically imposing – hard to knock off the ball and excellent in shoulder-to-shoulder duels. He was also a natural ball-winner who could read opponents’ movements very well. Because of those strengths, he was important to the team’s defensive structure. After the World Cup, he continued to make a name for himself in England, with Crystal Palace and later Cardiff City. Since retiring in 2017, he has continued in football, earning his stripes at Golden Arrows, where he currently remains as a coach, working alongside Manqoba Mngqithi.

Bernard Parker (Striker, 24 years old)

Aged just 24 at the time, Parker arrived for the World Cup having just won the Dutch Eredivisie title with FC Twente. Unfortunately, he only featured 12 times during the competition, so his place in the Bafana starting XI was not certain. He came off the bench in the game against Mexico, didn’t play against Uruguay, and started alongside Katlego Mphela in Bafana’s clash with France, which they won 2-1. A year after the World Cup, Parker returned to South Africa with Kaizer Chiefs, and would go on to become a club legend, winning two league titles, an MTN8 and a Nedbank Cup. He left Kaizer Chiefs a veteran at the end of the 2021/22 season to join TS Galaxy, where he would spend two seasons, and eventually call time on his career at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. He’s remained with TS Galaxy, and is currently an assistant coach at the club.

Siyabonga Nomvethe (Striker, 32 years old)

The goalscorer of Bafana Bafana’s only goal in their historic first-ever World Cup win in 2002, Nomvethe was selected to provide experience and leadership to a young squad in 2010. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, he was still one of the most gifted and deadliest strikers in South African football. He played for just 22 minutes after coming on as a second half substitute in the third game. He remained a member of the national team for two more years, and won a total of 82 caps, placing him fourth on the list of most capped South African footballers. He would later go into coaching, and would spend a number of years as AmaZulu’s assistant coach, a role he would leave in 2023. He is currently a brand embassador for Trellidor, and is focused on youth development programmes like the Trellidor iKas’la Makasi Cup. 

Katlego Mphela (Striker, 25 years old)

A year on from scoring a wonder goal against Spain in the FIFA Confederations Cup, Mphela went into the World Cup as South Africa’s leading striker. In the opening game against Mexico, “Killer” had an opportunity late on to win the match, but his shot at goal bounced off the post. But, he found the back of the net in South Africa’s third game as they took a 2-0 lead against France. They would go on to win the game 2-1. He was on the field for the full 90 minutes in all three encounters. He played his last game for Bafana in 2013, but continued playing club football until 2017. His goal tally of 23 goals places him third, tied with Bernard Parker, on the list of top goalscorers for the national team. Mphela is currently an ambassador for Betway, and also works with young footballers through coaching clinics, and hosts the Killer Mphela Easter Tournament.

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