'Shabba' reflects on Bafana's World Cup absence

Having last appeared at the global showpiece as hosts back in 2010, South Africa failed to qualify for Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and now Qatar 2022. 

‘Shabba’, who was part of the squad that plate on home soil over a decade ago, is hopeful the glory days will come.

"Obviously, it's not nice when we talk about the World Cup and the national team is not there. I think we've now missed three World Cups in a row, which is not good for us," said the 38-year-old.

"I hope [when it's time for] the next World Cup, we'll be talking a different story. I think everyone has a role to play when it comes to the national team, and we do have talent.

"There's an abundance of talent in South Africa, but it's about coming together all in the name of the national team, and making sure that we bring Bafana Bafana back to where it belongs.

"There were days when the national team was at the top and they were doing well, so, we've been there, we can still go back there. 

"And now we cannot talk about the World Cup, we can talk about the qualifiers, playing in the AFCON – where were will be tested and get sufficient experience that will give us confidence going to the World Cup."

Bafana have gone through quite a number of coaches since Tshabalala last played, with Belgian tactician Hugo Broos currently in charge, and he feels the mistake in the past has been the hiring and firing of coaches. 

"Where I feel we didn't get it right was not giving coaches enough time to do their work and plan. When you look at the past, I think, five years, we've had different coaches who all came with their own different philosophies, which all players are expected to buy into," he added.

"And if the coach comes and implements a certain style of play, and then he leaves and the next one comes and changes, bringing in something different. So, it takes a toll on the players too, to adapt."