Naturena, the Team returned to training this morning after the testing programme was completed over the weekend. The players met for the first time as a Team this morning as they were split into groups during the testing phase over the weekend. Coach Stuart Baxter welcomed the players back from the off-season break before they got the ball rolling with their first training session of their preparation phase. This is ahead of the 2014/15 PSL season.

kaizerchiefs.com caught up with Siphiwe ‘Shabba’ Tshabalala after the training session.

Welcome back ‘Shabba’, tell us about your return to training and the reunion with your teammates after the break?

“It is one of those feelings that you will never get used to. It feels great to be back at the Village, to meet your teammates and getting back to kicking the ball after the break. The testing went very well over the weekend and we met for the first time as one group today. I am glad that I am still in good shape and have kept my weight intact. All in all, I am in good shape.”

You look fresh and not tired after your first training, how do you manage to keep it up?

“I followed the prescribed order of conduct during the off-season. As a professional athlete it is important to rest and eat well, and that’s what I did. I left my soccer boots at home and took a trip overseas, somewhere quiet and appropriate to rest.” said ‘Shabba’.

Did you watch any of the Fifa World Cup games taking place in Brazil?

“I have not watched much of football. Except for watching the highlights I have watched two games in full so far and I think it’s a good World Cup full of goals in Brazil. There’s a lot of surprises though, the big countries are finding the going tough. Spain, England and Portugal have not done well according to expectations. There’s hope of one or two African countries reaching the knockout stages if you look at Nigeria and Algeria’s standing thus far,” said ‘Shabba’.

What can the supporters look forward to in the upcoming season?

“I can’t wait to get going in the new season. I look forward to resume with hard work. I plan to do my best to help my Team to win trophies this season.” said ‘Shabba’ who played 42 league and Cup games in the 2013/14 season and scored 3 goals in the process.

According to the Medical Team, ‘Shabba’ passed the fitness test after he was side-lined due to injury at the end of last season. ‘Shabba’ surpassed the two centuries milestone with 227 games he has played for the Amakhosi since joining the team in 2007.