Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela says midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala merits a recall to the South African national team.
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Tshabalala enjoyed a nine-year spell with Bafana Bafana, scoring 12 goals in 90 appearances, but has been left out in the cold since 2015.
With age being the decisive factor, with the South African Football Association selectors in favour of a younger generation to develop, the 32-year-old has continued to display the consistent form that's made him a fan favorite with Amakhosi over the years.
However, this season it seems as if 'Shabba' has earned a new lease of life in a central midfield role, scoring seven league goals in 23 games.
"With the quality and experience like that‚ he should (return to Bafana). Why not?" Komphela told Times Live website.
"In as much as the national team is about long-term vision‚ you still have to get results for now.
"It will be unfair to the man if he is hot like the way he is at the moment and he gets ignored.
"I am not going to dictate to the national team coaches what they must do because they have their own vision and choices.
"But what I am saying to you is that if Egypt can bring (back) goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary at the age of 40 when there was a need‚ then why not?
"Age should not be an obstacle when a player is performing as unbelievably as he is at the moment."