Background and career
Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala ( sih-PEE-way CHAB-ə-LAH-lə; born 25 September 1984) is a South African former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder.
He is considered to be one of the most well-known and decorated South African soccer players of his generation. He was the first player to make his international debut while still playing in the National First Division. At 90 caps, he is the second most capped player of the South African national team and played at three African Cup of Nations editions and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, at which he scored the opening goal of the tournament on 11 June 2010; the goal was nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.
