Kaizer Chiefs icon Itumeleng Khune has named none other than Siphiwe Tshabalala as the standout player of his generation—an endorsement loaded with respect and personal admiration.
Having shared the pitch for over a decade at both club and national level, Khune’s choice might seem obvious to some, but he insists it’s not just about their long-standing partnership.
“I didn’t choose Shabba because we were teammates,” Khune said in a recent interview with iDiski Times. “I chose him because, honestly, he was that good.”
A Decade of Dominance
Khune was already wearing the Amakhosi badge when Tshabalala arrived in 2007 from Free State Stars. What followed was a golden stretch where the duo won every major domestic trophy available.
Shabba, known for his trademark left foot and relentless work ethic, wasn’t just flashy—he was dependable. “He could change a game in an instant,” Khune reflected. “When things got tough, he stepped up—whether for Chiefs or Bafana Bafana.”
From Dreads to Dreams
In 2018, Tshabalala made a late-career move to Turkey, chasing his European dream. But back home, his legacy was already sealed.
Khune recalled a recent moment while filming with Shabba and Happy Jele for Derby Kings: “I looked at him and thought—this short guy with dreadlocks, this is the same player who used to terrorize defenders.”
“He’d have five or six players on him, and he’d still manage to make space and score. And the crazy part? He wasn’t even a striker.”
“You Just Had to Get Him the Ball”
As a goalkeeper, Khune had the best seat in the house to witness Tshabalala’s magic. “All I had to do was get the ball to him—he’d do the rest. Go watch his goals again, you’ll see. He was special.”
