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Shabba closing in on 75 caps for Bafana

SIPHIWE Tshabalala is likely to join a select group of just four South African players to have reached the milestone of 75 caps when the Africa Cup of Nations continues for the home country in Durban tomorrow.

Tshabalala won his 74th cap in a disappointing display at the weekend - when he was taken off in the second half - and is not certain to start against Angola at the Mbombela Stadium as his form continues to slide.

But there is every likelihood he will feature in some way, either as a starter on the left side or as an impact player off the bench, as the host nation seek to get their campaign on track.

Tshabalala, who made his debut before the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt, tied Shaun Bartlett in fourth place on the standings of players who have represented the country, behind former captain Aaron Mokoena (107), Siyabonga Nomvete (82) and Benni McCarthy on 80. The last two were both in contention for a place in this Nations Cup squad despite being 34 years old, but did not recover from injury in time.

A total of 23 players have now reached the 50-cap mark for South Africa, with Bernard Parker and Katlego Mphela the latest to achieving the distinction in Saturday's draw with the Cape Verde Islands.

The 1996 Afcon- winning captain, Neil Tovey, was the first.