‘AGE IS JUST A NUMBER’

Former South African striker Shaun Bartlett, who turned out for various clubs abroad in the United States, Switzerland and England, signed for Kaizer Chiefs in 2006, just months before Siphiwe Tshabalala’s arrival at Naturena, and is delighted to see his former teammate finally secure a move abroad. “It shows that age is just a number,” the SuperSportTV analyst tells KICK OFF. “I remember signing for Chiefs in the same year [sic], in 2006. There’d been so many moves on the cards for him, both preand post-2010, which never materialised, but maybe it’s all about timing. He’s a lot more mature now.” Bartlett, who parted ways with University of Pretoria at the end of last season after two-anda-half years as head coach, says the European mentality regarding the age of players differs considerably to that of South Africa, and is hopeful that Tshabalala will make a success of his time in Turkey. “That’s the beauty of European football – they don’t really care about age,” he says. “If you are good enough, and fit and healthy, then they’ll give you a chance. Hopefully he’ll get a good two years under his belt, and use it to his advantage.”