Kaizer Chiefs legend, Siphiwe Tshabalala opened up about how he received his first national team call-up.
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The story
Legendary midfielder, Siphiwe Tshabalala recently relived one of the most special moments of his successful career, his first call-up to the national team.
Shabba sat down for an extensive interview with sports journalist, Morena Mothupi, on the Betway Smash Sports "Football Faras" show, to reflect on his career.
The 39-year-old was asked about his breakthrough into the Bafana Bafana set-up back in 2006 and explained how he went from representing the under-23's to quickly receiving a senior team selection.
"My national team big break came in 2005, in December, so it was my rookie season in the PSL. I got a call up to the PSL 11, to go to Jo'burg just before the Christmas break, to prepare for a match against Bafana Bafana,"' Shabba told Betway Smash Sports
"When I was there, practicing, I was contacted by Free-State Stars, who informed me that I have been called-up to the under-23's. I was excited because I think we had the best team. Your Cheeseboys, Tsepo Masilela's, the best players, great talent. When I played against Bafana Bafana the next day (for PSL 11), I only played 45 minutes, and it was the best 45 minutes I've played," shared Shabba.
"After that game, I went home, because the game was in Durban. While napping, I got a call from the under-23's manager. I was still sleepy, during the call and told me that I can no longer join the under-23's and that I'm going to Bafana. I said 'Oh, okay' and I hung up and went back to sleep," shared Shabba, who said the call left him confused, because it hadn't sunk in.
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Shabba went on to share that he was still confused when his friend called him to congratulate him on his call-up, when his parents eventually woke him up to celebrate the news, it didn't click with the baller, who only properly believed the news when it was announced on radio.
Despite only five months in South Africa's top flight, Shabba had achieved his dream on making the senior national team, leading to a call-up for the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
"So, now I'm seated outside Johannesburg Stadium, where we trained. This bus pulls in and the the big boys come out of it. The likes of Tso Vilakazi, Sibusiso Zuma, [Mbulelo] Mabizela, I'm like 'what's happening!' So, we had our first session there and I was nervous, I won't lie. I still felt that during our preparations, I felt like they might change their minds about me. It hadn't sunk in yet.
"When we went to OR Tambo, and boarded that flight to Egypt, I felt like 'Okay, it's happening now.' The game as well, because there was no time for me to prepare and take everything in. We arrived in Egypt, we played a friendly game against Egypt, in Cairo, packed!" says, Shabba, describing the scene of his debut for Bafana Bafana in Cairo.
"I'm on the bench and we all went for a warm-up, the sent the physio to call me and even then, I wasn't sure if the he was calling me or not. I got my chance, I did well and days later, it was my first AFCON. So, it all happened really fast. Big opportunity after the next," disclosed Shabba.
His debut in January 2006 came against the Pharaohs, with Bafana Bafana winning the game, 2-1 curtesy of a Benni McCarthy winner. Shabba was introduced in the 66th-minute, a perfect start to a memorable international career.
Watch the 39-year-old speak about his breakthrough into Ted Dumitru's Bafana Bafana outfit:
Scroll to the 18th-minute to listen to Shabba reflect on his Bafana debut...
