SOWETO: South Africa veteran Siphiwe Tshabalala was about to swim Thursday when told his three years in the international wilderness were over.
The 33-year-old Kaizer Chiefs winger-cum-central midfielder was a surprise returnee for must-win 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Senegal in Polokwane on November 10 and in Dakar four days later.
While Bafana Bafana (The Boys) must collect maximum points from both matches to reach Russia, two points will suffice for 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists Senegal.
Burkina Faso and Cape Verde complete Group D.
Tshabalala scored a spectacular opening goal during the first match of the 2010 World Cup, which hosts South Africa and Mexico drew in Soweto.
But international football was probably far from his mind as he prepared for a post-training swim at Chiefs' training centre in a southern Johannesburg suburb.
"I was on my way to the pool for some regeneration work when an official said I was in the national squad," Tshabalala told the South African media.
"This is a reward for the hard work that I have put in at Chiefs and for believing in my abilities.
"I am happy and honoured by the call-up and want to add value rather than join the squad just to make up the numbers."
Turkey-based striker Tokelo Rantie continued an on-off relationship with his country by turning down an invitation to be part of the squad.
He was angry at being left out of the squad for a World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso this month, which South Africa won 3-1 in Soweto.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Wayne Sandilands (Orlando Pirates), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport Utd)
Defenders: Clayton Daniels, Morgan Gould (both SuperSport), Sifiso Hlanti, Thulani Hlatshwayo (capt) (both Wits), Tebogo Langerman, Motjeka Madisha (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Mulomowandau Mathoho (Chiefs), Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City)
Midfielders: Hlompho Kekana, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Themba Zwane (all Sundowns), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier/FRA), Dean Furman (SuperSport), Andile Jali (Kortrijk/BEL), Lebogang Manyama (Konyaspor/TUR), Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford/ENG), Thulani Serero (Vitesse Arnhem/NED), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Chiefs), Bongani Zungu (Amiens/FRA)
Strikers: Bradley Grobler (SuperSport), Phakamani Mahlambi (Al Ahly/EGY), Dino Ndlovu (Qarabag/AZE), Percy Tau (Sundowns)
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