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Bafana Bafana fans enjoyed unexpected nostalgia during Real Betis’ 3-2 win over FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League in Seville on Wednesday night.
The moment allowed South Africans to relive one of the most iconic moments in South African sporting history.
The Spanish La Liga side came from behind to stun the Portuguese giants at a packed Estadio de La Cartuja arena. Following the final whistle, Betis’ players performed the ‘Bafana Bafana 2010 goal celebration’.
It came during South Africa’s opener against Mexico on 11 June 2010 at Soccer City, thanks to a worldie strike from left winger Tshabalala. The match ended 1-1 following a late Mexican equaliser.
South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African nation to stage the tournament.
Following the tournament, South Africa would miss three consecutive FIFA World Cups: 2014 in Brazil, 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar, before returning to the USA, Mexico and Canada in June this year.
Bafana Bafana went on to make history by qualifying for the second round. They had lost 2-0 to Mexico in the opener, drawn 1-1 with the Czech Republic before beating South Korea 1-0 to set up a meeting with Canada in the last 32. The dream ended with a 1-0 defeat.
Meanwhile, South Africa are involved in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. After beating Guinea 2-1 and Eritrea 5-0 in the opening rounds, Pitso Mosimane’s side face Kenya next month. Success will book a place at the finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in June 2027.
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