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Tshabalala happy with SA form

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala is delighted with his rare start in a Man-of-the-Match performance for South Africa at the weekend.

According to the Football411 website, Tshabalala found the back of the net for his 11th goal in a Bafana Bafana jersey as Gordon Igesund's side dispatched the Central African Republic 3-0 on Saturday in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.

A surprise selection out wide ahead of Platinum Stars' Thuso Phala, 'Shabba' delivered an impressive display as he had a hand in every one of Bafana's goals in Yaounde.

The 28-year-old, though, was just happy the South Africans could come away from Cameroon with all three points ahead of Sunday's crucial clash with Group A leaders Ethiopia.

"I really enjoyed myself. And I think the guys as well, they worked very hard and made things easier for me when I had the ball. So I knew when to pass and where to pass - I had a lot of options," Tshabalala told Times LIVE.

"I wouldn't say this was a comeback. I'm just grateful to be given an opportunity. I played my 78th game and scored.

"For me it's one game at a time. My life has always been like that. It has never been smooth. There will always be hiccups and obstacles. But I've always stayed strong and overcome a lot of things - I'm up for any challenge."

He was a key member of Chiefs' league and cup double-winning team this past season, and with no less than five Amakhosi players in Igesund's starting XI against CAR, it is little wonder Tshabalala's understanding with Bernard Parker led to the latter opening the scoring on Saturday.

"I have a great understanding with Bernard Parker," he said.

"He knows that when I have the ball he's going to move and he'll get it when he wants it. So it was not something that was unusual - it's something we've been working on all along."

As for his role for his country as a drifting wideman rather than an out-and-out winger, Tshabalala added: "It's a role I've played for Chiefs and I've created a lot of goals from there."

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