ST
Shabba. 2010 World Cup Opener. Kaizer Chiefs Left Winger. location_on Retired (Kaizer Chiefs — 2007–2018 peak)

SIPHIWE
TSHABALALA

Left Winger #8 South African flag South Africa (Bafana Bafana) — retired 2017
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Age

41 yrs

Height

1.74m

Caps / Goals

90 / 11

Profile

Who is Siphiwe

Siphiwe 'Shabba' Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup for South Africa vs Mexico at FNB Stadium on 11 June 2010. The left-footed volley past Óscar Pérez, followed by the synchronised diski-dance celebration, became one of the signature images of the tournament. He spent 11 senior seasons at Kaizer Chiefs (2007–2018), winning three PSL titles, three Nedbank Cups, and a 2013 CAF Champions League runner-up medal. For South Africa he earned 90 caps and represented Bafana Bafana at AFCON 2008, 2013, 2015 and the 2009 Confederations Cup plus the 2010 World Cup on home soil. He retired in 2021 after spells in Turkey and at AmaZulu.

Tactical DNA

Tshabalala was a left-footed inverted left winger, cutting inside onto his stronger foot to shoot or cross with the outside of the boot. His 1.74m frame and low-slung stride made him effective in short-space dribbling and late-run arrivals into the penalty area. At Kaizer Chiefs under Stuart Baxter (2012–15) he was the primary left-flank creator of the PSL double-winning side, routinely logging 10+ PSL goals and 8+ PSL assists per campaign.

For South Africa he was the senior attacking left-sider of the 2010 World Cup generation. The 55th-minute left-foot volley vs Mexico at FNB Stadium opened a World Cup on African soil for the first time in tournament history. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira played him as a left-side 4-3-3 forward; under subsequent Bafana Bafana coaches (Pitso Mosimane, Gordon Igesund, Shakes Mashaba) he was rotated between left wing and left wing-back before his 2017 international retirement.

Career Journey

history
Alexandra United / Free State Stars (South Africa)
112 apps 23 goals

Amateur debut at Alexandra United before the 2003 PSL move to Free State Stars in Bethlehem. Nedbank Cup winner 2006–07 with Free State Stars. Summer 2007 switch to Kaizer Chiefs for a reported R2.5m.

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Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
352 apps 48 goals 72 assists R2.5m

11-season Kaizer Chiefs career. Three PSL titles (2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16). Three Nedbank Cups (2013, 2017 — plus 2007 at Free State Stars). 2013 CAF Champions League final runner-up. PSL Midfielder of the Year 2013.

sports_soccer
BB Erzurumspor (Turkey)
24 apps 2 goals Free

Süper Lig debut at 34 with Erzurumspor in eastern Turkey. Relegation in the 2018–19 season after 24 appearances. Released in summer 2019 and returned to South Africa.

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AmaZulu FC (South Africa)
26 apps 1 goals

Two-season PSL return with Durban-based AmaZulu. Retired at 36 after the 2020–21 season. Final competitive appearance in the 2021 Nedbank Cup quarter-final vs Swallows FC.

Current Season Stats

Live Data
Status
Retired
Since 2021
Career caps
90
Int'l goals
11
PSL titles
3
Kaizer Chiefs 2012–13, 2014–15 (ABSA Premiership)
Nedbank Cups
3
Kaizer Chiefs 2013, 2017; Bloemfontein Celtic 2007
World Cup goals
1
Opening goal 2010 (vs Mexico)

military_techHonours

emoji_events

PSL (ABSA Premiership) Winner

Kaizer Chiefs 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16

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Nedbank Cup

Kaizer Chiefs 2013, 2017; Free State Stars 2007

star

CAF Champions League Finalist

Kaizer Chiefs 2012–13 (lost to Al-Ahly)

star

MTN 8

Kaizer Chiefs 2008, 2010, 2014

star

Telkom Knockout

Kaizer Chiefs 2010, 2013

star

PSL Midfielder of the Year

Kaizer Chiefs 2012–13

star

Bafana Bafana Player of the Year

2010, 2012

star

2010 World Cup Goal of the Tournament (ESPN viewers)

vs Mexico, 11 June 2010

flagWith South Africa (Bafana Bafana) — retired 2017

90
Caps
11
Goals
2006
Debut
AFCON 2008 (quarter-final) Confederations Cup 2009 (hosts, fourth) World Cup 2010 (hosts, group stage) AFCON 2013 (quarter-final, hosts) AFCON 2015 (group stage)
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Beyond the Pitch

Born 25 September 1984 in Soweto, south of Johannesburg. Given name Siphiwe Tshabalala. Raised in the Phefeni district of Soweto; attended Phefeni Senior Secondary. One of seven children. Joined Alexandra United amateur side in 2000 before the 2003 Free State Stars PSL move.

Married to businesswoman Bokang Montjane in 2014; the couple have three children. Bokang is a former Miss South Africa (2010) and now runs a Johannesburg fashion and media company. The family lives in Johannesburg's northern suburbs. Tshabalala is a regular Standard Bank ambassador (2011–present) and Puma South Africa ambassador.

Since retirement in 2021 Tshabalala has run the Siphiwe Tshabalala Foundation (funding township football infrastructure across Gauteng), hosted 'The Shabba Show' on SuperSport since 2022, and serves as a PSL brand ambassador. He is alive, active and a regular match-day attendee at Kaizer Chiefs fixtures at FNB Stadium. Periodic social-media death hoaxes have been categorically denied.

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Expert Analysis

Thabo Nkosi

Thabo Nkosi

Senior Writer

13 posts on Siphiwe.

Siphiwe Q&A

How old is Siphiwe Tshabalala? expand_more
Siphiwe Tshabalala was born on 25 September 1984 in Soweto, South Africa. He is 41 years old as of April 2026 and has been retired from professional football since 2021.
Did Siphiwe Tshabalala score the 2010 World Cup opening goal? expand_more
Yes. Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on 11 June 2010 at Soccer City (FNB Stadium) in Johannesburg. The 55th-minute left-foot volley past Mexican goalkeeper Óscar Pérez was the first goal of a World Cup ever played on African soil. South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico. The goal was voted 2010 World Cup Goal of the Tournament by ESPN viewers.
What happened to Siphiwe Tshabalala? expand_more
Siphiwe Tshabalala retired from professional football in the 2020–21 season while playing for Durban-based AmaZulu FC. He is alive and well as of April 2026, lives in Johannesburg, hosts The Shabba Show on SuperSport, runs the Siphiwe Tshabalala Foundation for township football infrastructure, and is a Standard Bank and Puma brand ambassador. Periodic social-media death hoaxes have been categorically denied.
What is Siphiwe Tshabalala's net worth? expand_more
Public estimates of Siphiwe Tshabalala's net worth in 2026 sit around US $4–6 million (around R80 million in rand), reflecting 11 Kaizer Chiefs seasons on PSL top-tier wages, his long-running Standard Bank and Puma endorsement deals, SuperSport presenter income, and his foundation and property holdings. These are outside estimates rather than disclosed figures.
Where is Siphiwe Tshabalala now? expand_more
Siphiwe Tshabalala lives in Johannesburg's northern suburbs since retiring in 2021. He hosts The Shabba Show on SuperSport (since 2022), serves as a Standard Bank and Puma South Africa ambassador, runs the Siphiwe Tshabalala Foundation, and is a regular match-day attendee at Kaizer Chiefs fixtures at FNB Stadium and Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Did Siphiwe Tshabalala pass away? expand_more
No. Siphiwe Tshabalala has not passed away. Several false social-media posts have circulated since 2020 claiming otherwise but these were hoaxes. Tshabalala remains alive and well, lives in Johannesburg, and appears publicly in SuperSport broadcasts and at PSL matches on a weekly basis.
Who is Siphiwe Tshabalala's wife? expand_more
Siphiwe Tshabalala is married to Bokang Montjane, a former Miss South Africa (2010) and now a Johannesburg fashion and media businesswoman. The couple married in 2014 and have three children. They live in Johannesburg's northern suburbs.
What was Siphiwe Tshabalala's home language? expand_more
Siphiwe Tshabalala's home language is Zulu (isiZulu). He was raised in the Phefeni district of Soweto, which is a predominantly Zulu-speaking community. He is also fluent in English and speaks conversational Sotho, both of which are widely used in the PSL changing room environment.
What is Siphiwe Tshabalala doing now? expand_more
Siphiwe Tshabalala retired from professional football in 2021 after a spell at AmaZulu. He has since been involved in South African football media and ambassador roles, with publicly reported appearances as a Kaizer Chiefs legends ambassador. His 2010 World Cup opening goal against Mexico at FNB Stadium remains the most-replayed image associated with him in South African football.

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Last updated 2026-04-22 · written by Thabo Nkosi.