Shabba heads for Nottingham

KAIZER Chiefs star Siphiwe Tshabalala is hoping to become the second Bafana Bafana player to join an English club this year after Bongani "Model C" Khumalo.

Tshabalala is leaving today for London for a one-week assessment by League Championship outfit Nottingham Forest.

"This is great news for me and I'm looking forward to training with Nottingham Forest," he said yesterday. "I was so happy when my business manager [Jazzman Mahlakgane] informed me about the invite. This is the biggest break of my soccer career - I have always wanted to further my career abroad because I believe that I will succeed."

Mahlakgane said he was grateful to Chiefs management for agreeing to release Tshabalala for assessment by Nottingham Forest.

He said: "I also want to thank chairperson Kaizer Motaung and manager Bobby Motaung. We've discussed the matter for two weeks.

"There is no way Nottingham Forest will not take him. Apparently they have been keeping an eye on him for some time. Siphiwe has become an overnight soccer superstar after making history by scoring the first World Cup goal," said Mahlakgane, whose stable has other big names like Itumeleng Khune, Teko Modise and Tefu Mashamaite.

"He is a hard-working player [who] will impress the coaching staff. I have already told him that when he comes back for a week, he will be coming to say bye bye to us.

"I told him to pack his bags to relocate to England."

• Khumalo joined Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur last week from three-time SA Premiership champions SuperSport United.
• Meanwhile attacking midfielder Steven "Schillo" Pienaar looks set to join Serie A giants Inter Milan. Other clubs chasing his signature include Chelsea and Hotspur. Clubs in Germany and Spain also want Pienaar, whose contract with Everton expires in June.