Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala was nominated by fans around the globe who casted their vote on FIFA.com as the man of the match for the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup when Bafana Bafana and Mexico played to 1-1 draw in front of just over 84 000 fans at Soccer City.

Tshabalala scored a fabulous goal in the 55th minute when played wide into space on the left by Kagisho Dikgacoi he hit the ball thunderoulsy past Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez to hand South Africa the lead.

The hard working Chiefs midfielder who ran up and down the 'Soccer City' pitch on Friday afternoon, and went down into World Cup folklore by joining the likes of Pele, Jurgen Klinsmann and a host of other celebrated figures in scoring the first goal at FIFA World Cup.

Speaking after the game about picking up the man of the match award Tshabalala said, "I feel very happy scoring the first goal of the World Cup, this was my 50th game for the country and to score in it and get the vote of thousands of fans from around the world as the man of the match was really great".

On joining a very special list of players to have scored the first goal of the World Cup he added, "I am very happy and hopefully like Pele did once he scored the first goal and won the World Cup hopefully I can do the same".

Siphiwe also became the first Chiefs player to score a goal in a World Cup game and of this a very delighted Siphiwe said, "again happy to have become the first to have scored, I am just greatful to have had the opportunity to play in this opening game.

I must also give thanks to all my Bafana Bafana team mates for the hard work they put in".