The Bafana Bafana international was responding to a question that the younger players like Mandla Masango, Knowledge Musona and Abia Nale played a crucial role in the team last season as Chiefs lifted the Telkom Knockout.

“Senior players have to lead from the front,” said the Soweto born midfielder on Wednesday afternoon.

“It is good that we have younger guys in the team to push everyone to the limit because no one is guaranteed a place in the team. We all have to work hard including the senior players if we are to be successful this season,”

Shabba’s words were echoed by goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, “I am not guaranteed of a place in the team. I cannot just because I have played in the World Cup and think that ‘I have arrived’…no, it is not the case.

I am expected to work hard like everyone to earn my place in the team. Like any player I will be benched from time to time. No one is guaranteed a place in the team,” concluded Khune.

Meanwhile Tshabalala believes that Chiefs will beat Celtic and proceed to the next round of the competition of Saturday, “We are all focused on the game on Saturday and I am confident that we will beat Celtic come Saturday,” he said.