Kagisho Evidence Dikgacoi /dˈxʌʃwɑː/[1] (born 24 November 1984) is a South African retired professional footballer who is currently the manager of Witbank Spurs.[2] He represented South Africa at international level.

Kagisho Dikgacoi
Dikgacoi warming-up for Cardiff City in 2015
Personal information
Full name Kagisho Evidence Dikgacoi
Date of birth (1984-11-24) 24 November 1984 (age 39)
Place of birth Brandfort, South Africa
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder, Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
Witbank Spurs (Manager)
Youth career
Cardiff Spurs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 Bloemfontein Young Tigers 10 (0)
2005–2009 Golden Arrows 82 (8)
2009–2011 Fulham 14 (0)
2011Crystal Palace (loan) 13 (1)
2011–2014 Crystal Palace 92 (6)
2014–2016 Cardiff City 25 (0)
2016–2017 Golden Arrows 10 (1)
Total 246 (16)
International career
2007–2013 South Africa 54 (2)
Managerial career
2018 Royal Eagles (assistant)
2019– Witbank Spurs
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He made his international debut in 2007, and since then has earned 54 caps, scoring twice. He played at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2008 and 2013, and at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Club career edit

Early career edit

Dikgacoi began his career at local club Cardiff Spurs, before moving to Golden Arrows in 2005 as a little-known holding midfielder from lower league side Bloemfontein Young Tigers. At Arrows, he developed into one of the country's best players in his position and was subsequently rewarded with the captain's armband.

Fulham edit

On 4 August 2009, Dikgacoi announced that he had reached an agreement with Fulham after a successful trial at the club. The deal was only finalised on 26 August after a work permit was granted. Dikgacoi had trained with his former club Golden Arrows while the work permit process took place in order to maintain fitness.[3][4] He made his debut on 4 October, but was sent off in the 41st minute for slapping Scott Parker.[5]

Crystal Palace edit

After appearing only once for Fulham under Mark Hughes in the 2010–11 season, Dikgacoi was allowed to drop down a division and join Crystal Palace in February on a loan deal until the end of the season. He scored his first goal for Crystal Palace against Cardiff on 8 March 2011, before moving permanently to the Eagles on 4 July 2011 for a fee of £600,000.[6]

Cardiff City edit

On 12 June 2014, Dikgacoi signed a three-year deal with Cardiff City after refusing a new deal with Crystal Palace.[7] He made his debut in a 1–0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, coming on for Aron Gunnarsson on 23 August.[8] His full debut came three days later in the League Cup, where Cardiff beat Port Vale.[9] Following a series of niggling of injuries, Dikgacoi was ruled out for four months with a knee injury in November.[10]

Dikgacoi did not return until the following season, where he started on the opening day against Fulham.[11] He made 25 appearances during the season as Cardiff missed out on the play-offs, before his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 26 August.[12]

Golden Arrows edit

In October 2016, Dikgacoi returned to former club Lamontville Golden Arrows after training with the team. He signed a short-term deal. As a result of injuries and weight issues, he played in just ten matches and failed to complete a match. The Golden Arrows announced in June 2017 that he would not return for the following season.[13]

Dikgacoi announced his retirement from playing in July 2018.[14]

International career edit

Dikgacoi made his debut for the South Africa national team on 27 May 2007, in a COSAFA Cup match against Mauritius. He scored his first two goals on 7 June 2008, in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Equatorial Guinea, which ended 4–1. He was part of Bafana Bafana's 2008 African Nations Cup squad and was also a participant at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2013 African Cup of Nations, held in his home country.

Post-playing career edit

Following his retirement from playing football Dikgacoi entered the business arena alongside his business partner Tieho Benny Mokhalinyane. In 2018, his apparel company International Sports Apparel Design Institute concluded a deal with the Football Association of Malawi for the supply of kits, tracksuits, and golf shirts.[15]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

As of match played 9 May 2016
 
Dikgacoi warming up before his debut game with Fulham in 2009
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Golden Arrows 2006–07 ABSA Premiership 25 0 0 0 0 0 25 0
2007–08 23 4 0 0 0 0 23 4
2008–09 25 4 0 0 0 0 25 4
Total 73 8 0 0 0 0 73 8
Fulham 2009–10 Premier League 12 0 2 0 1 0 15 0
2010–11 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 13 0 2 0 1 0 16 0
Crystal Palace 2010–11 Championship 13 1 0 0 0 0 13 1
2011–12 27 2 4 0 0 0 31 2
2012–13 42 4 0 0 1 1 43 5
2013–14 Premier League 26 0 1 0 0 0 27 0
Total 108 7 5 0 1 1 114 8
Cardiff City 2014–15 Championship 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
2015–16 23 0 1 0 1 0 25 0
Total 25 0 1 0 2 0 28 0
Career total 219 15 8 0 4 1 231 16

International goals edit

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dikgacoi goal.
List of international goals scored by Kagisho Dikgacoi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 7 June 2008 Atteridgeville, South Africa   Equatorial Guinea 1–0 4–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 4–1

References edit

  1. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jq90NaDXsM 0:46
  2. ^ "Kagisho Dikgacoi Confirms New Role After Retirement". 11 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Fulham's Dikgacoi gets UK permit". BBC News. 26 August 2009.
  4. ^ "BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | F | Fulham | Midfielder Dikgacoi joins Fulham". newsimg.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  5. ^ "West Ham 2–2 Fulham". BBC News. 4 October 2009.
  6. ^ "Eagles to complete £600,000 purchase of Kagisho Dikgacoi". This is Croydon Today. 6 July 2011. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  7. ^ "Cardiff City sign Crystal Palace's Kagisho Dikgacoi". BBC News. 12 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. 23 August 2014.
  9. ^ "Port Vale 2–3 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. 26 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Kagisho Dikgacoi: Cardiff midfielder sidelined for four months". BBC Sport. 3 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Cardiff City 1–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015.
  12. ^ "Club statement: Kagisho Dikgacoi". Cardiff City Football Club. 26 August 2016.
  13. ^ realnet.co.uk. "Kagisho Dikgacoi leaves Golden Arrows". Kick Off. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  14. ^ "Dikgacoi hangs up his boots after 14-year career". news24.com. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  15. ^ Wa Ka Mabasa, Tiyani (18 March 2018). "Kagisho Dikgacoi goes into business". Sowetab Live. Retrieved 5 June 2018.

External links edit