Shabba revels in new role

Siphiwe Tshabalala was a surprise selection for Bafana Bafana in their slick 3-0 World Cup qualifying win against the Central African Republic in Yaounde on Saturday, and an inspired one.

"Shabba", so often accused of resting on the laurels of that World Cup opening goal, revelled in a role closer to the roaming one he performs for club Kaizer Chiefs.

He provided Bernard Parker's opening goal, set up and scored Bafana's second, and produced the pass that led to the third. Tshabalala was dropped during the Africa Cup of Nations in January, but on Saturday he tormented CAR.

"I really enjoyed myself. And I think the guys as well, they worked very hard and made things easier for me when I had the ball. So I knew when to pass and where to pass - I had a lot of options," the impish midfielder said afterwards.

"I wouldn't say this was a comeback. I'm just grateful to be given an opportunity. I played my 78th game and scored.

"For me it's one game at a time. My life has always been like that. It has never been smooth. There will always be hiccups and obstacles. But I've always stayed strong and overcome a lot of things - I'm up for any challenge."

Tshabalala is a far better player starting wide and drifting into the middle as a playmaker than as a out-and-out winger.

The midfielder does not quite have the pace or size to beat fullbacks. He is best when worked into spaces where he can make a difference - that was the role Gordon Igesund gave the Chiefs man on Saturday, and it was one of Tshabalala's best performances for Bafana.

"It's a role I've played for Chiefs and I've created a lot of goals from there."

The midfielder's through ball saw Parker beat the offside trap against the run of play in the 27th minute and score a goal that settled Bafana's shaky start.

"I have a great understanding with Bernard Parker," Tshabalala said.

"He knows that when I have the ball he's going to move and he'll get it when he wants it. So it was not something that was unusual - it's something we've been working on all along."

For Bafana's second Tshabalala saved the blushes of another Chiefs team-mate, Reneilwe Letsholonyane. Yeye received a lob from Tshabalala and attempted a fancy flick past goalkeeper Emmanuel Yezzoat. That failed and Tshabalala collected the clearance, waltzed past the CAR defence and Yezzoat, and slipped in the second.

Igesund praised his team for a "professional performance", but also scolded the m for not attacking in the second half. Substitutes Oupa Manyisa and scorer Katlego Mashego combined for the third goal.