Siphiwe Tshabalala Throwback Post Shows Defender in Turkey During Late European Move

• Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend Siphiwe Tshabalala shared throwback photos from his time in Turkey, sparked by snowfall across South Africa
• Tshabalala made the surprising move to Turkish Süper Lig side Erzurumspor in August 2018 at the age of 33, after more than 11 years at Kaizer Chiefs
• South Africans reacted with nostalgia and humour as the post brought back memories of one of the country's most beloved footballers

Siphiwe Tshabalala, the Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend, shared a carousel of throwback photos on Instagram on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, looking back at his time playing football in Turkey.

The post, shared from his @siphiweshabba account on Instagram, was prompted by snow falling in parts of South Africa. One of the images showed a Land Rover Defender parked up, giving fans a glimpse into his life during his stint abroad.

Shabba's surprise European chapter

Read also

“What a privilege!” Eben Etzebeth opens up after emotional Springbok return

Tshabalala's move to Turkey was one of the more unexpected moments in his career. After spending over a decade at Kaizer Chiefs, racking up roughly 372 appearances and 58 goals at Naturena, he left the club in August 2018 to join Büyükşehir Belediye Erzurumspor in the Turkish Süper Lig. He was 33 years old at the time.

For a player who had long been tipped for a move to Europe, the timing was striking. Erzurumspor had just been promoted to the top flight, meaning Tshabalala was competing in genuine first-division football. He made 17 league appearances during the 2018/19 season, with reports at the time noting he was starting matches and performing well. He returned to South Africa after that single season.

His career had been built on memorable moments long before Turkey. On 11 June 2010, he scored the opening goal of the FIFA World Cup against Mexico at Soccer City, a left-footed strike that earned a Puskás Award nomination and made him a household name far beyond South Africa's borders. He went on to earn 90 caps and score 12 goals for Bafana Bafana between 2006 and 2017.

After returning from Turkey, Tshabalala signed with AmaZulu in October 2020. The club released him in August 2021, marking the end of a playing career that took him from Alexandra United and Free State Stars to the heights of the PSL and, eventually, to Europe.

Read also

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz explains why new signing faces delayed debut

See the pictures in the post below.

Mzansi reacts to the throwback

Followers had plenty to say in the comments under the post:

@jonkers.gregory said:

"Looking Shabba in Eurasia 🆒 pic bro ✅"

@theo_jakalaas wrote:

"Shabba Ranks"

@cyrilmboweni joked:

"Frame 5 you had that look when gents finally get rid of the V card 🥳"

@walterraborife added:

"-18? Ampor o swa mos. Shaba o dlala rof" (Translation: You're almost dead, man. Shabba plays tough)

Simphiwe Tshabalala’s luxurious home

Briefly News previously reported that former Bafana Bafana star Simphiwe Tshabalala owns a luxurious double-storey home in an upscale Johannesburg suburb, complete with glass walls, high ceilings, a swimming pool, and a trampoline.

The stylish residence blends modern elegance with homely comfort, reflecting Tshabalala’s understated approach to fame. While he remains largely private, occasional social media glimpses reveal a life of quiet sophistication.

Source: Briefly News