Kagiso Dikgacoi is rolling back the years! As Bafana Bafana prepare to face Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opener, the man who started the move for that Tshabalala goal reflects on the magic of 2010. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi has reflected on the emotions and memories of South Africa’s historic 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign as the national team prepares to return to football’s grandest stage next month.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the US, Mexico and Canada, will mark Bafana’s first appearance at the tournament since the country hosted the global spectacle 16 years ago. Now serving as assistant coach of Golden Arrows in Durban, Dikgacoi admits emotions have come flooding back as he watches the current South African squad prepare to take on the world.
“It’s feels like yesterday if I’m being honest, I can still remember everything vividly, around this time we would have been in camp because we had a long camp to prepare for the tournament,” he said.
“Every player would love to represent their country and more especially at a World Cup, it’s a special occasion and I’m sure the boys are looking forward it.”
Dikgacoi was one of the key figures in the Bafana midfield during the 2010 tournament and played a crucial role in one of the most iconic moments in South African football history.
It was the former midfielder’s pass out of a pressured situation that launched the move leading to Siphiwe Tshabalala’s unforgettable opening goal against Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie announced the names of 16 supporters who will travel to the World Cup after winning the Mzansi to the World Cup Lucky Fan Competition. McKenzie also revealed that members of the 2010 Bafana squad had been invited to attend the opening match of the 2026 tournament as honoured guests.
“The recognition makes me really proud of course having represented the country in 2010. I am grateful to not only the minister but the Mexican government as well who want to appreciate members of that group as well, bringing us back together and re-awakening memories from exactly 16-years ago.”
South Africa opened the 2010 World Cup with a memorable 1-1 draw against Mexico and Dikgacoi believes the current squad has what it takes to go one better by beginning the new campaign with victory.
“Obviously, we had to share the spoils on that day but it would be good if the current group go out there and get that win and I believe we have a capable team to do so.”
While Tshabalala’s thunderous strike remains the defining image of that opening match, Dikgacoi still holds special pride in the role he played in creating the moment.
“It was one of the best moments of my career, the pass came out of a high pressure situation against a versatile team that pushed us back a lot in that game,” he rolled back.
“We had worked very hard that game, shifting from left to right and for me to combine with (Katlego) Mphela, Yeye (Letsholonyane) and then Shabba, it had to turn out like that and if I made that pass without pressure, it wouldn’t be as special but because I was then I rate it really high on my list of highs.”