Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana star Siphiwe ‘Shabba’ Tshabalala insists that his taking part in profession just isn’t over, although the 38 12 months-previous he has been with no membership since being launched by AmaZulu earlier than the beginning of the 2021/22 season.
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“I am not retired yet, I am still Siphiwe Tshabalala, active soccer player,” mentioned Tshabalala this week, on the launch of the Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge in Sandton.
On his prolonged absence from the taking part in discipline affecting his possibilities, Tshabalala added: “I am sure it does, obviously being away from football for a long time. But I haven’t stopped training, I haven’t stopped working out, taking care of myself.”
‘Shabba,’ whose solely spell overseas was an unsuccessful season at Erzumspor in Turkey, says he did have one other abroad provide just lately, however says he would relatively keep in South Africa.
“On Monday someone sent me a text about an opportunity to play abroad but I did not entertain it. I want to focus more at home and there is a lot I need to achieve at home, not only on the football side, in development as well, and in the role I play on the education side,” added Tshabalala, who runs his personal foundation.
“I still have the desire to play at the highest level, if it doesn’t happen, ok, if I wake up and so ok, that’s it, thank you to football, I will have no regrets, I have had a lot of highs. I am grateful and my heart is full.”
Tshabalala additionally believes there may be ageism in South African soccer, the place gamers over 30 are usually not gvien a good probability.
“I think age is still an issue in South Africa,” he mentioned.
“Once you reach a certain age you are seen as old, the focus is not on what you can still do, it is about your age.”
