Shabba Plans To Call It A Quit

Former Kaizer Chiefs icon Siphiwe Tshabalala has shared that he feels responsible to publicly announce his retirement from football, stating that his heart is full when it comes to his football achievements.

The 40-year-old, who hasn’t played professional football since 2021 when AmaZulu released him, has not been active on the field since then. According to Sportswire, he did not get along with coach Benni McCarthy, who helped Usuthu finish second in the league standings for the first time in the PSL era at that time.

McCarthy hinted at the reasons why he did not keep “Shabba” at the club, saying Tshabalala was “in my time as a player.”

However, the South African legend, best known for his iconic opening goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has stated that he will eventually announce his retirement, but for now, he is spending most of his time helping the future generation.

“I haven’t announced it yet, but at some point, an announcement will come, whether it’s sooner or later, but at some point, it will come,” said the former Bafana Bafana star, who spoke during the Albany Baked for Greatness with Shabba media launch event at Germiston Sports Grounds on Saturday.

This partnership is between Tshabalala, who made his name at Chiefs, and Albany Bakeries, aimed at empowering the youth through sport and nutrition.

Tshabalala played 372 games for Chiefs, including 336 starts and 36 as a substitute. He scored 58 goals for the Glamour Boys, with his last being a beautifully taken free-kick against Baroka FC in a one-all draw on 14 August 2018. His 350th official Chiefs game came against SuperSport United on 6 January 2017.

Shabba holds the record for players making the most appearances in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates since the formation of the PSL in 1996. He has played in 31 Derbies, scoring four goals. His first Derby was on 24 November 2007 (an away 2-2 draw at Kings Park Stadium in Durban). His most recent Derby was on 3 March 2018.

Tshabalala won numerous trophies with Chiefs, including the league twice (2012/2013, 2014/2015), the Telkom Knockout three times (2007, 2010, 2011), MTN8 twice (2008, 2014), and the Nedbank Cup once (2013). He was selected three times as the Kaizer Chiefs Player of the Season: 2008/2009, 2011/2012, and 2016/2017.

Furthermore, Tshabalala was selected as the 2010 SAFA Footballer of the Year and was capped 89 times for the South African national team, including 70 starts and 19 as a substitute. He netted 12 times for Bafana Bafana, with the most famous being the goal against Mexico in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He continued: “Also, I think I owe it to the public, and I owe it to the media, the fans, everyone, and I’m saying that with great humility because I’m grateful that throughout my career, the support that I’ve received is quite overwhelming.

“Therefore, it’s important for me to announce my exit when that time comes. But for now, my heart is full, and I can even do it now if I want to. My heart is full; I’m in the right space. I’m spending most of my time as well helping the next generation.

“I think that will be my greatest legacy, the lives that I’ve touched. For me, when I see someone thriving, when I see someone achieving their dreams, it’s a victory for a black child, especially those who come from places where no one would ever think that their dreams will come to life.”

Additional information by Robin-Duke Madlala