Shabba knew he had to lead
Sibongiseni Gumbi With all the experience he has, Siphiwe Tshabalala (pictured) knew that if Kaizer Chiefs were to awake from the slump they went through after their MTN8 final defeat, he would have to play a major role in it.
Captain Tshabalala provided an exemplary display that inspired Amakhosi to serve up a 3- 0 thrashing to Platinum Stars, bundling them out of the lucrative Telkom Knockout at the Moruleng Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After the MTN8 loss to Ajax Cape Town a few weeks ago, Chiefs went into a mini-lull – putting up a mediocre display in a 1-1 draw against the University of Pretoria, and improving slightly but still drawing 1-1 with Ajax in a league match in Cape Town.
Going into Sunday’s Telkom Knockout game, the odds appeared heaped against Amakhosi. Form favoured Dikwena, who had yet to lose an official game this season. And the extreme heat on the day – which the home side is used to – did Chiefs no favours.
But they produced one of their most impressive wins of the season, with Tshabalala in the forefront with a Man-of-the-Match performance. Sporting his trademark boyish smile, the 31-yearold Tshabalala remained humble, saying it was more of a team effort.
“We knew what needed to be done. I am the captain and senior player so I always have to put in that extra effort. I am happy that today it bore some fruit,” said the former Bafana Bafana winger.
His coach however, was boastful, and rightly so. Asked about his captain’s display and influence in the game, Steve Komphela waxed lyrical. “You can’t buy experience. You can never buy quality. If the man has the right attitude, he’s a masterpiece. He is a great influence, he is prepared to lead from the front and still be part of the group,” said Komphela, with an earnest look on his face.