Tshabalala backs African side for World Cup semis

Former South Africa international Siphiwe Tshabalala, who rose to global fame after scoring a stunning opening goal of the 2010 Fifa World Cup against Mexico, believes that an African side will make the semifinals in 2018.

Tshabalala, who still plays club football for Kaizer Chiefs having acquired 89 caps for his country, is most famous for drilling the ball past Mexico goalkeeper Óscar Pérez Rojas at FNB Stadium in 2010, a goal that was dubbed as being "for all of Africa”.

He won the last of those caps against Senegal in the World Cup qualifiers last November.

He admits that it will be a tough road for the African sides in 2018 – Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal and Egypt, but believes one can become the first from the continent to reach the last four.

"On paper, not many football analysts think that an African country will go far at this World Cup,” Tshabalala told his club’s website. "I feel, however, that there is a big surprise in the air. At least one African country will reach the semis and, hopefully, even go all the way.”

He refused to pick a favourite, saying he will support all of the African teams in the competition.