While Bafana Bafana prepare to face Mexico, South African referee Abongile Tom is getting ready to realize his ultimate dream on the world stage. Photo: Backpagepix
Abongile Tom is about to realise his wildest dream. He admits, however, that it wouldn’t have been possible without enduring hardships and making sacrifices along the way.
Bafana Bafana will be the nation’s focal point when the Fifa World Cup gets underway this month in North America, especially since they’ll face co-hosts Mexico in the opening game at Azteca Stadium next week Thursday.
However, Fifa-accredited referee Tom will also be flying the South African flag high as he’s been selected to officiate at the World Cup for the first time in his career, joining an elite group of South Africans that include Ian McLeod (1998), Jerome Damon (2010 and 2006), Victor Gomes (2022) and Zakhele Siwela. The latter will be participating in his third successive World Cup, after making the cut in the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Born in Old Crossroads, Nyanga, in the Western Cape, Tom’s ascension to the biggest football event in the world is based on a solid foundation of a proper upbringing and understanding that it takes discipline and focus to overcome the barriers of one of the most crime-ridden townships in the country.
