View source for Siphiwe Tshabalala

{{Short description|South African soccer player}}
{{distinguish|Simpiwe Tshabalala}}
{{Other uses|Tshabalala}}
{{Use South African English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Siphiwe Tshabalala
| image = 
| image_size = 
| caption = Tshabalala in 2021
| fullname = Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala<ref name="S. Tshabalala">{{Cite news | title = S. Tshabalala | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/siphiwe-tshabalala/21661/ | website = Soccerway | access-date  = 16 April 2014}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|9|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Soweto]], South Africa
| height = 1.70 m
| position = [[Winger (association football)|Winger]]<br />[[Attacking midfielder]]
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber = 
| youthyears1 = 1991–1994
| youthclubs1 = Phiri Arsenal
| youthyears2 = 1994–1997
| youthclubs2 = Phiri Movers
| youthyears3 = 1997–2002
| youthclubs3 = [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]
| youthyears4 = 2002–2003
| youthclubs4 = [[Moroka Swallows F.C.|Moroka Swallows]]
| years1 = 2003–2004
| clubs1 = [[Alexandra United]]
| caps1 = 26
| goals1 = 7
| years2 = 2004–2007
| clubs2 = [[Free State Stars F.C.|Free State Stars]]
| caps2 = 64
| goals2 = 31
| years3 = 2007–2018
| clubs3 = [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]
| caps3 = 292
| goals3 = 48
| years4 = 2018–2019
| clubs4 = [[Büyükşehir Belediye Erzurumspor|BB Erzurumspor]]
| caps4 = 17
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2020–2021
| clubs5 = [[AmaZulu F.C.|AmaZulu]]
| caps5 = 2
| goals5 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2006–2017
| nationalteam1 = [[South Africa national soccer team|South Africa]]
| nationalcaps1 = 90
| nationalgoals1 = 12
| club-update = 16:18, 13 August 2021 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 13:24, 21 June 2019 (UTC)
}}
'''Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ᵻ|ˈ|p|iː|w|eɪ|_|ˌ|tʃ|æ|b|ə|ˈ|l|ɑː|l|ə}}; born 25 September 1984) is a South African retired professional [[soccer]] player who played as a [[midfielder]].

He is considered to be one of the most well-known and decorated South African soccer players of his generation. He was the first player to make his international debut while still playing in the [[National First Division]]. At 90 caps, he is the second most capped player of the [[South Africa national football team|South African national team]] and played at three [[African Cup of Nations]] editions and the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], at which he scored the opening goal of the tournament on 11 June 2010; the goal was nominated for the [[FIFA Puskás Award]].

==Early life==
Tshabalala was born on 25 September 1984 in [[Phiri, Soweto|Phiri]] as the first born of two children to parents Isaac Tshabalala (born 1964) and Hadifele Rebecca (née Makhubu) (1965–2010). His younger sister is named Mpumi. He grew up and lived in a face brick house until he was 19,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_ZA/Article/Red-Bulletin-The-House-That-Built-Siphiwe-021243238026088 |title=Red Bulletin- the House That Built Siphiwe |website=[[Red Bull]] |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120839/http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_ZA/Article/Red-Bulletin-The-House-That-Built-Siphiwe-021243238026088 |url-status=dead }}</ref> that was owned by his grandparents. He lived  there with his cousins and sister. His father worked as a taxi driver.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/football-hero-siphiwe-tshabalala-we-brought-joy-to-south-africans-a-705159.html|title=Football Hero Siphiwe Tshabalala: 'We Brought Joy to South Africans'|author=((SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg, Germany))|date=4 July 2010|work=SPIEGEL ONLINE}}</ref> He attended secondary school at Seanamarena Secondary School in Phiri, [[Soweto]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://siphiwetshabalala.co.za/2014/03/10/shabba-believes-education-is-key/|title=Shabba: Education is key|work=siphiwetshabalala.co.za}}</ref> Tshabalala aspired to be a [[chartered accountant]] as a young boy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youthvillage.co.za/2013/09/10-things-didnt-know-siphiwe-tshabalala/|title=Youth Village » 10 Things You Didn't Know about Siphiwe Tshabalala|work=youthvillage.co.za|date=16 September 2013}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Kaizer Chiefs===
Tshabalala played at the [[Kaizer Chiefs]] academy but only broke through to the senior team after spells with [[Alexandra United]] and [[Free State Stars]]. In January 2007 Chiefs brought back their own product after Ea Lla Koto was relegated to the [[National First Division]] at the end of the 2005/06 campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/players/167/siphiwe-tshabalala|title=Siphiwe Tshabalala|work=kickoff.com|access-date=20 July 2014|archive-date=26 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726065433/http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/players/167/siphiwe-tshabalala|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the time, Tshabalala was then sidelined for six months due to a serious knee injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/groups_and_teams/team/south_africa/siphiwe_tshabalala|title=BBC Sport – World Cup 2010 – siphiwe_tshabalala|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=6 December 2014|archive-date=2 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102095929/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/groups_and_teams/team/south_africa/siphiwe_tshabalala|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2007–08 season====
Tshabalala eventually made his debut in a 1–0 loss to [[Bidvest Wits]] on 31 August 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/49907/siphiwe-tshabalala-hints-at-kaizer-chiefs-contract-renewal|title=Siphiwe Tshabalala hints at Kaizer Chiefs contract renewal – News – Kick Off|work=kickoff.com}}</ref> Tshabalala made his Soweto derby debut on 24 November 2007 in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/38454/record-soweto-derby-appearances-for-siphiwe-tshabalala|title=Record Soweto Derby appearances for SIphiwe Tshabalala|last=realnet.co.uk|website=Kick Off|language=en-gb|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> Tshabalala played his first ever cup final on 1 December 2007 in the [[Telkom Knockout]] winning after a penalty shootout against [[Mamelodi Sundowns]] and played the full 120 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/721/khune-wins-chiefs-the-cup-final|title=Khune wins Chiefs the Cup Final|work=kickoff.com}}</ref> He scored his first Chiefs goal on 12 December 2007 in a 4–2 win over [[Golden Arrows]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/870/chiefs-back-to-winning-ways|title=Chiefs back to winning ways|work=kickoff.com}}</ref>

====2008–09 season====
Tshabalala continued to consistently deliver great goals, winning him the Player and Players' Player of the Year at the [[Kaizer Chiefs]] Awards Ceremony. He also picked up the Website Player of the Year, Goal of the Season and Readers’ Choice awards. All-and-all Tshabalala left the awards with R170 000 in prize-money, as well as a [[Nissan X-Trail]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/8413/tshabalala-cleans-up-at-chiefs|title=Tshabalala cleans up at Chiefs|work=kickoff.com}}</ref>

====2015–16 season====
On 25 August 2015, Tshabalala gained attention for a volleyed goal from well outside the area which was nominated as one of the goals of the South African season. The goal, which came in a 4–0 win over [[Free State Stars F.C.|Free State Stars]] coincidentally took place at the [[FNB Stadium]] in [[Johannesburg]], the same venue where Tshabalala had scored a similar goal against Mexico in the world cup five years earlier.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alberto Moreno|title=Tshabalala scores a wonder goal |url=http://blog.foxsoccer.com/post/127597355742/tshabalala-scores-a-wonder-goal|work=[[Fox Soccer]]|date=25 August 2015|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>

He made a total of 372 appearances scoring 58 goals.<ref name="erzurumspor">{{cite news |title=Siphiwe Tshabalala finally gets his overseas move |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/kaizer-chiefs/story/3615387/siphiwe-tshabalala-leaves-kaizer-chiefs-for-erzurumspor |access-date=30 August 2018 |work=ESPN FC |date=28 August 2018}}</ref>

===Büyükşehir Belediye Erzurumspor===
On 28 August 2019, Kaizer Chiefs announced that Tshabalala would be leaving for Turkish side [[Büyükşehir Belediye Erzurumspor]].<ref name="erzurumspor"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Shabba leaves for Turkey |url=https://www.kaizerchiefs.com/news/shabba-leaves-turkey/ |website=Kaizer Chiefs |access-date=30 August 2018 |date=28 August 2018}}</ref>

===AmaZulu===
Tshabalala returned to South Africa in October 2020, joining [[South African Premier Division]] club [[AmaZulu F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=AmaZulu unveil Siphiwe Tshabalala and ex-Orlando Pirates stars |url=https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/premiership/amazulu-unveil-siphiwe-tshabalala-and-ex-orlando-pirates-stars-psl-transfer-news/687605 |website=kickoff.com |access-date=20 October 2020 |date=19 October 2020}}</ref> He signed a one-year contract with the option of a second year.<ref name="amazulu-release"/> He was released in August 2021.<ref name="amazulu-release">{{cite news |last1=Hadebe |first1=Sazi |title='It's football, my friend': Benni on why AmaZulu released Siphiwe Tshabalala |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2021-08-13-its-football-my-friend-benni-on-why-amazulu-released-siphiwe-tshabalala/ |access-date=13 August 2021 |work=TimesLIVE |date=13 August 2021}}</ref>

==International career==
Tshabalala was one of the first players to be called up to the [[South Africa national soccer team|South Africa national team]] while still playing in the [[National First Division]]. Tshabalala made his national team debut in a friendly against [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] on 14 January 2006. He was part of the South African squad at [[2006 African Nations Cup]], [[2008 African Nations Cup]], [[2013 African Cup of Nations|2013 African Nations Cup]], and the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]]. On 11 June 2010, gaining his 50th cap for the nation of South Africa,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6201987,00.html |title=Shabba ranks opening draw |publisher=Skysports.com |date=11 June 2010|access-date=11 June 2010}}</ref> he scored the opening goal of the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] in the 55th minute, which erupted the full [[FNB Stadium|Soccer City (FNB Stadium)]] into wild celebrations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-legends-goals-on-this-day-in-2010-siphiwe-tshabalala-shocked-the-world-with-goal-20180611|title=On This Day In 2010: Siphiwe Tshabalala Shocked The World With Goal Against Mexico|website=sportbible.com|access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref> The game finished a 1–1 draw.<ref name="new.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Jonathan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_01|title=South Africa 1–1 Mexico|work=[[BBC News]] |date=11 June 2010 |access-date=11 June 2010 }}</ref> That goal eventually made the shortlist for the [[FIFA Puskás Award|Puskas Award]], a nomination for goal of the year by [[FIFA]].

In October 2017, Tshabalala was called up to two of South Africa's [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|World Cup qualifying matches]] against Senegal – for the first time since 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gleeson|first1=Mark|title=South Africa recall 2010 star Siphiwe Tshabalala|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41765952|access-date=28 October 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=26 October 2017}}</ref>

==Style of play==
Goal.com described Tshabalala as "a tricky winger with pace and can deliver fantastic crosses. His left boot can pack a powerful shot and he is a great option for set pieces as he has the ability to bend the ball".<ref>{{cite web |title=Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala Profile - Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/south-africa/19097/-siphiwe-tshabalala/profile |website=Goal |access-date=25 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112080529/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/south-africa/19097/-siphiwe-tshabalala/profile |archive-date=12 November 2016}}</ref>

==Endorsements==
In October 2009, Tshabalala and [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s [[Cesc Fàbregas]] were the first two players to launch the new [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] CTR360 Maestri boots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1659/south-africa/2009/10/03/1537991/kaizer-chiefs-star-siphiwe-tshabalala-launching-nike-boot|title=Kaizer Chiefs Star Siphiwe Tshabalala Launching Nike Boot|work=Goal.com}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Tshabalala's mother Rebecca Hadifele "Hadi" Makhubu (1965–2010) died on 5 December 2010, after sustaining a head injury after falling at a [[bridal shower]] which she was attending with her husband Isaac. She was buried at the [[Avalon Cemetery]] on 11 December 2010 in [[Soweto]]. The funeral was attended by notable figures such as [[Pitso Mosimane]], [[Jimmy Tau]], [[Morgan Gould]] as well as a performance by Joyous Celebration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://drum.co.za/celebs/siphiwe-tshabalala-grieves/|title=Siphiwe Tshabalala grieves|work=DRUM}}</ref> A [[Limpopo]] man named Samson Nangani claimed that Tshabalala was his child and lost contact with his mother while she was still pregnant. Tshabalala denied being his son.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2011/02/27/tshabalala-spurns-father-claim|title=Tshabalala spurns 'father' claim|author=Sunday World|work=Times LIVE}}</ref>

Tshabalala was involved in a love scandal with Zanele Khanye Skhosana and former [[Atlético Madrid]] academy player [[Robin Ngalande]], where one of them allegedly impregnated her.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.zalebs.com/post/siphiwe-versus-robin-whos-the-real-baby-daddy/|title=Zalebs Mobi - Siphiwe versus Robin: Who's the real baby daddy?|work=Zalebs Mobi}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Tshabalala's first child, Owami,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youthvillage.co.za/2015/06/bokang-shares-a-beautiful-video-of-baby-owami-siphiwe-tshabalala-for-fathers-day-check-it-out-here/|title=Youth Village » Bokang Shares A Beautiful Video Of Baby Owami & Siphiwe Tshabalala For Fathers Day. Check It Out Here…|work=youthvillage.co.za|date=21 June 2015}}</ref> a boy, was born on 6 February 2015 by former Miss SA, [[Bokang Montjane]] whom he had been dating since 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/incoming/2015/02/16/baby-boy.jpg/BINARY/baby+boy.JPG|title=TimesLIVE|website=www.timeslive.co.za|language=en|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> The pair married in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=It's official! Siphiwe and Bokang are husband and wife|url=https://citizen.co.za/lifestyle/your-life-entertainment-your-life/entertainment-celebrities/1257666/its-official-siphiwe-and-bokang-are-husband-and-wife/|access-date=12 October 2017|work=[[The Citizen (South Africa)|The Citizen]]|date=20 August 2016}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
:''Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tshabalala goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1 || 26 March 2008 || [[Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium]], [[Atteridgeville]], South Africa || {{fb|PAR}} || style="text-align:center;"|3–0 || style="text-align:center;"|3–0 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2 || 11 October 2008 || [[Estadio de Malabo]], [[Malabo]], Equatorial Guinea || {{fb|EQG}} || style="text-align:center;"|1–0 || style="text-align:center;"|1–0 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3 || 28 March 2009 || [[Royal Bafokeng Stadium]], [[Phokeng]], South Africa || {{fb|NOR}} || style="text-align:center;"|2–1 || style="text-align:center;"|2–1 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|4 || 27 January 2010 || [[Moses Mabhida Stadium]], [[Durban]], South Africa || {{fb|ZIM}} || style="text-align:center;"|1–0 || style="text-align:center;"|3–0 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|5 || 31 March 2010 || [[Estadio Defensores del Chaco]] [[Asunción]], Paraguay || {{fb|PAR}} || style="text-align:center;"|1–1 || style="text-align:center;"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|6 || 16 May 2010 || [[Mbombela Stadium]], [[Nelspruit]], South Africa || {{fb|THA}} || style="text-align:center;"|1–0 || style="text-align:center;"|4–0 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|7 || 11 June 2010 || [[FNB Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]], South Africa || {{fb|MEX}} || style="text-align:center;"|1–0 || style="text-align:center;"|1–1 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|8 || 10 August 2011 || [[Ellis Park Stadium]], Johannesburg, South Africa || {{fb|BFA}} || style="text-align:center;"|2–0 || style="text-align:center;"|3–0 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|9 || 15 June 2012 || Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa || {{fb|GAB}} || style="text-align:center;"|1–0 || style="text-align:center;"|3–0 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|10 || 22 December 2012 || Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa || {{fb|MWI}} || style="text-align:center;"|2–0 || style="text-align:center;"|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|11 || 8 June 2013 || [[Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo]], [[Yaoundé]], Cameroon || {{fb|CTA}} || style="text-align:center;"|2–0 || style="text-align:center;"|3–0 || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF second round|2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|12 || 17 August 2013 || FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa || {{fb|BFA}} || style="text-align:center;"|1–0 || style="text-align:center;"|2–0 || Friendly
|}

==Honours==
'''Free State Stars'''
* [[Baymed Cup]]: 2006

'''Kaizer Chiefs'''
* [[Premier Soccer League|Absa Premiership]]: 2012–13, 2014–15
* [[MTN 8]]: 2008
* [[Nedbank Cup]]: 2013
* [[Telkom Knockout]]: 2007, 2010,<ref name="foty">{{cite web|title=Kaizer Chiefs Midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala Dedicates Awards To His Mother|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1659/south-africa/2010/12/05/2246380/kaizer-chiefs-midfielder-siphiwe-tshabalala-dedicates-awards|website=Goal|access-date=28 October 2017|date=5 December 2010}}</ref> 2011
* [[Vodacom Challenge]]: 2009
* [[Telkom Charity Cup]]: 2010

'''Individual'''
* [[SAFA Awards]] [[South African Football Association|SAFA]] Footballer of the Year: 2010<ref name="foty"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{FIFA|249477|Siphiwe Tshabalala}}
* {{NFT|12992}}

{{Navboxes
| bg          = #F7EB29
| fg          = #006400
| bordercolor = #006400
| title       = South Africa squads
| list1  =
{{South Africa Squad 2006 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{South Africa 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{South Africa Squad 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{South Africa Squad 2010 World Cup}}
{{South Africa Squad 2013 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tshabalala, Siphiwe}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Soweto]]
[[Category:Men's association football wingers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:South African men's soccer players]]
[[Category:South Africa men's international soccer players]]
[[Category:Free State Stars F.C. players]]
[[Category:Kaizer Chiefs F.C. players]]
[[Category:AmaZulu F.C. players]]
[[Category:Erzurumspor F.K. footballers]]
[[Category:2006 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2009 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2013 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:South Africa men's A' international soccer players]]
[[Category:2014 African Nations Championship players]]
[[Category:21st-century South African sportsmen]]