Ed Aarons
Bafana Bafana midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala has become the latest high profile
player to fall victim of South Africa’s notoriously high crime-rates.
The 26-year-old escaped unhurt as armed robbers stormed into his house and made off with cell-phones and wallets.
Tshabalala, who scored the opening goal of the 2010 World Cup, was held at gun point as the raid took place.
But it could have been a lot worse for the Kaizer Chiefs star, who told his club’s website that the intruders had recognised him.
“My manager had sent someone to my house to collect my portraits,” Tshabalala said.
“As the gentleman was coming through the door, a heavily armed man came in pointing guns at us. I was with my two cousins and my friend when this happened.
“When they realised that it was my house, they left after only taking phones and wallets,” he added.
Tshabalala has been out of action since last month after he picked up a hip injury against Sierra Leone in a qualifier for the 2012 African Nations Cup.
He was linked with moves to Europe after his World Cup exploits but stayed with Chiefs after signing a new deal.
The left-winger is not the first high-profile Bafana star to be hit by crime – Orlando Pirates international Benson Mhlongo was kidnapped by carjackers back in August and was also recently arrested for carrying an unlicensed firearm.
Meanwhile it has also emerged that the house of Ghanaian players Andre and Jordan Ayew was robbed while they where away for Marseille’s Champions League match in Slovakia.
An investigation has been launched in Marseille after their villa was broken into.
Police said the criminals stole hi-fi equipment, jewelry and expensive watches and also damaged household electrical goods.
The Ayew brothers where in Zilina during the robbery, which occurred Wednesday night with Marseille beating the Slovakian team 7-0.
Ed Aarons
BBC Sport, Johannesburg
