Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Siphiwe ‘Shabba’ Tshabalala expressed his joy to be back in Bafana Bafana. ‘Shabba’ missed the last trip when Bafana Bafana went to play a friendly international game against Morroco, in Morocco on the 11th November 2013. ‘Shabba’ has been capped 83 times in the National Team.

“It is a great feeling to be in the squad. There are a lot of youngsters in the squad now. I think it is a step in the right direction and will benefit the country in the long run. I am helping and guiding the younger guys by giving them advise and motivation. They all deserve to be here as they have done well in their Clubs and in the National Team,” said a jubilant ‘Shabba’ speaking from Swaziland.

Bafana Bafana are to face Swaziland in an international friendly match on Friday, 15 November at the National Stadium in the Swazi capital of Mbabane. The match is scheduled to kick off at 20h30.

“It is hot in Swaziland. We had our first training on Wednesday at 18:30 and trained again on Thursday at 11:00. We will be playing on Astroturf. Even though we played Swaziland before, this time they will be a closed book;” Shabba said.

Bafana Bafana have played against Swaziland on three occasions, and have won all three encounters and conceded only one goal against their neighbouring country. Siphiwe Tshabalala came on as a substitute at the 78th minute, when Bafana Bafana beat Swaziland 1-0 in the Cosafa Castle Cup played in Gaborone’s National Stadium in 2006.

Coincidentally Kaizer Chiefs will be playing at the same stadium this coming weekend in the Botswana Challenge against Mochudi Centre Chiefs. The game is on Saturday, 16 November 2013. Kickoff is at 19:00.

‘Shabba’ is joined by other Chiefs players in the squad, Reneilwe Letsholanyane with 45 caps, Tsepo Masilela with 51 caps, Tefu Mashamaite with 1 cap and Bernard Parker with 62 caps.