Johannesburg - Former Bafana Bafana skipper Neil Tovey believes that winger Siphiwe Tshabalala needs to start from the bench for the AFCON matches.

According to the football411.com website, Tshabalala was ineffective against Cape Verde in the first AFCON match that ended goalless last Tuesday, and with Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Thulani Serero looking livelier and hungrier on the field, more calls have come forward for the Kaizer Chiefs player to be dropped.

Tovey, who led Bafana to their first-ever AFCON trophy, says it's time for the national team to change for the better.

"Some decision has to be made about Shabba. I think he's let us down quite often, not because he is not a good player," the former Chiefs captain told SuperSport.

"I just think he is having a real tough time and in my own opinion we need to say 'Shabba come sit on the bench, look from outside and you can still come and make an impact'.

"Not just to throw him to the wolves but sit him down and say 'Shabba, you don't just become a bad player overnight'. The coach can word it nicely and correctly as he explains to the player what he wants to achieve.

"We have to start playing the game. Of all the teams in all the groups, I think Bafana Bafana came close to performing the worst in the first match.

"It's disturbing but I know their capabilities, they just need to relax and enjoy the game."

Moroka Swallows midfielder Lerato Chabangu, who replaced Tshabalala in the Cape Verde stalemate, is out with injury and with no other recognized attacking midfielders in the squad; it's hard to see that Serero will not start the next match against Angola.

Kick-off is at 17:00 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.