'Screamer' Tshabalala embodied motivation, says former Bafana skipper Radebe

JOHANNESBURG - Former Bafana Bafana captain, Lucas Radebe, has fondly remembered Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala as an inspirational figure.

Radebe was a member of the very first Bafana Bafana squad that was coached by Tshabalala in 1992. 

Tshabalala also played a leading role in the founding of Kaizer Chiefs in 1970 as a player, as well as in the success of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the 80s and 90s as a coach.

The 75-year-old Tshabalala died last week from injuries sustained in a shooting at his home in March.

While brief, his time as Bafana coach is what Radebe remembered and the influence he had on the players.

"You look at his coaching, it’s different, but it inspired a lot of players and enlightened us as well. Sometimes motivation comes in different ways and I think Screamer embodied that."

Radebe said that at a time when they were nervous to be representing the country for the first time, post-isolation, Tshabala's calm demeanour rubbed off on them as the team went on the beat Cameroon 1-0.

"Maybe the game has evolved but we don’t have those kinds of people any more in the game. People that will lighten situations. We had a big game against Cameroon and we had Screamer walking there, making jokes. Somebody else could've been so serious."

Tshabalala’s funeral will be held at the Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, on Thursday morning at 9am.