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Siphiwe Tshabalala

Kaizer Chiefs winger Siphiwe Tshabalala says club chairman Kaizer Motaung was ‘understanding’ during his contract discussions.

‘Shabba’ signed a new three-year deal with AmaKhosi this week, ending speculation for now that he might move to English Championship side Crystal Palace at the end of the season.

He also denied he was put under pressure to re-sign with Chiefs, saying it was all his own decision to stay.

“I am very happy to have extended my stay with the club. The club has been good to me since my arrival here and they gave me a good deal. Chiefs are like my second home and I am pleased to stay,” he told the club’s official website.

“I spoke to some of my teammates and they are also delighted that I have extended my stay with the team. I believe that I have a lot to offer in the team going forward.

“I requested to meet the chairman to ask him to give me more time to think about my future. I am grateful that he allowed me to do that. I gave him my word that if I have to leave Chiefs it would be for a team in Europe and through the blessings of the club. He also told me that if something comes up - he will not stand in my way. The chairman was very understanding.

“Having given me the time I went back to him and told him; “I am ready to renew”. He was delighted with my decision. It is now up to me to repay the faith the Chairman and the club has shown in me and that I can only do on the field.”

With Chiefs just three points behind League leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, Tshabalala says his ambition is still to win the Absa Premiership this season.

It remains my ambition to win the league title with the club. I am lucky to have collected a few trophies during my stay since my arrival back in 2006. I want to win the league now. Having won it with Free State Stars in the first division, I know how it feels and I want to feel the same way with Chiefs. We are only three points adrift to leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and we believe that winning the league is within our reach.”