Tshabalala’s loss huge one for club

It was heartbreaking to see legend Siphiwe Tshabalala depart Kaizer Chiefs, the club he adored as a child.

When his departure was confirmed, the debate as to his position in the hierarchy of the club's pantheon of greatest players began to rage.

Undoubtedly Tshabalala is a Chiefs legend, but on the other hand you have what he means as an icon, in terms of loyalty and respect from supporters.

Shabba has scored crucial goals in every major cup final and been the consistent driving force behind the club for over 11 years. While loyalty is not necessarily an overriding factor in the “greatness debate”, it cannot be ignored.

He has won numerous trophies with Chiefs, including the league twice (2012/13 and 2014/15) and other prestigious domestics cups such as MTN8, Nedbank and Telkom Knockout, to name the few.

His career is sprinkled liberally with trophies, awards and records, but for me the thing that stands out most is that he played his entire career – over a decade – with the same club.

The table, in the words of the cliche, never lies, and the success is the ultimate barometer of progress. But for Chiefs success with Shabba is gone for good and now they must start life without him.

He has been a pillar of strength for the Glamour Boys on and off the field and played an influential role for upcoming young players.

His contribution to the game, however, is more than just numbers.

It's about leadership, passion and loyalty, traits which are hard to buy in modern football, which is a cruel results-oriented business.

He had offers from various clubs in Europe, but opted rather to stay with the club.

His head may have been turned for a split second but the fans, and more importantly his chairman Dr Kaizer Motaung, soon put him straight.

His loyalty and hard work should be rewarded by the club resigning his jersey number. He never betrayed or tarnished the club badge and always gave his best.

I saw coach Giovanni Solinas was struggling to form unity and to put the right person in this position.

I understand Tshabalala’s departure left a bad taste for Khosi members, but we all need to move on and to think about life beyond this loss.

Wandile Mtana, Uitenhage

‘Shabba has scored crucial goals in every major cup final and has been the consistent driving force behind the club for 11 years