The speedy winger was substituted at half time and replaced by Lerato Chabangu, the fact that he was substituted has not made him despondent and will continue fighting to keep his place in the team. Tshabalala is of the opinion that his substitution was a tactical decision and not based on his individual performance, as he had been giving his all in the game. It was a night of high emotion for South Africa in Tamale as they were minutes away from defeat before Elrio Van Heerden struck a wonder goal to earn them a share of the spoils.

No rest

Speaking to kaizerchiefs.com at the Tamale Stadium on Wednesday evening the man who wears the number 14 for The Amakhosi, was ready to keep up the pressure and is willing to work to make things better at his second nations cup than they were at his first two years ago. He added “I worked very hard and over came many challenges to be able to get into the squad to come to Ghana, I am not content with watching the matches from the sidelines. I have to keep on giving more than my best in training and just keep at it and things will go my way again, it is an important match against Tunisia on Sunday for us and I want to be part of the action”.

On edge

The other Chiefs player in the South Africa squad Itumeleng Khune told kaizerchiefs.com that he had no nails left to chew, as it was a nerve wrecking time before Van Heerden drew South Africa level.

Khune added “it was too much for me watching that game from the side lines we had so many chances and a goal disallowed, but I kept on shouting and encouraging the guys on like the others on the bench were also doing. Looking at the way we played losing to Angola would have been harsh on us, getting a draw is not ideal but looking at the way the other game in the group went we are still very much in the competition”