SIPHIWE Tshabalala resumed training on Thursday night and yesterday without hindrance and is available to play in Bafana Bafana’’s must-win World Cup qualifier against Central African Republic (CAR) in Cape Town Stadium tonight.
Tshabalala was dropped from the Bafana starting line-up during the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February after a disappointing performance in the opening 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.
There had been questions over the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder’s form going into the tournament, where South Africa exited on a penalties defeat to Mali in the quarterfinals.
But “Shabba” has been in form again for Chiefs – though utilised more as a playmaker than left wing. When he does play wing for Amakhosi it is in a roaming role, where coach Stuart Baxter works him into positions where he can be influential.
Should Gordon Igesund opt to start Tshabalala tonight, the Bafana coach might have to come up with a revised role closer to the one the scorer of the opening goal of the 2010 World Cup performs for his club.
Tshabalala’s experience does seem likely to get him a place in the XI that takes the field, though Igesund has also called up in- form Orlando Pirates left wing Daine Klate.
As playmaker, Swedish-based May Mahlangu was one of Bafana’s stars of the Afcon, and seems unlikely to be dislodged.
Igesund hinted that all three will certainly have a role to play, either as starters or off the bench.
Platinum Stars right wing Thuso Phala has been a revelation for the national team with his forceful running down the right wing, and his pace seems crucial to Igesund’s stated game plan of getting wide and behind CAR.
The coach admitted that anything but a win tonight will leave Bafana effectively out of the running to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The South Africans started with a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in Rustenburg in June last year that was the straw that broke Pitso Mosimane’s back as Bafana coach.
Crunch time for Bafana
Tshabalala was dropped from the Bafana starting line-up during the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February after a disappointing performance in the opening 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.
There had been questions over the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder’s form going into the tournament, where South Africa exited on a penalties defeat to Mali in the quarterfinals.
But “Shabba” has been in form again for Chiefs – though utilised more as a playmaker than left wing. When he does play wing for Amakhosi it is in a roaming role, where coach Stuart Baxter works him into positions where he can be influential.
Should Gordon Igesund opt to start Tshabalala tonight, the Bafana coach might have to come up with a revised role closer to the one the scorer of the opening goal of the 2010 World Cup performs for his club.
Tshabalala’s experience does seem likely to get him a place in the XI that takes the field, though Igesund has also called up in- form Orlando Pirates left wing Daine Klate.
As playmaker, Swedish-based May Mahlangu was one of Bafana’s stars of the Afcon, and seems unlikely to be dislodged.
Igesund hinted that all three will certainly have a role to play, either as starters or off the bench.
Platinum Stars right wing Thuso Phala has been a revelation for the national team with his forceful running down the right wing, and his pace seems crucial to Igesund’s stated game plan of getting wide and behind CAR.
The coach admitted that anything but a win tonight will leave Bafana effectively out of the running to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The South Africans started with a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in Rustenburg in June last year that was the straw that broke Pitso Mosimane’s back as Bafana coach.
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