The Bafana icon has rallied behind the under-fire striker following a difficult few weeks in national colours, most recently a missed penalty in the goalless friendly against Nicaragua that drew jeers from supporters inside the stadium.
Foster’s coach Hugo Broos has already come to his defence, pointing out that even the world’s best players miss penalties. Now Tshabalala – the man who scored one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history at the 2010 tournament – has added his voice to that support.
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“It’s not nice being booed, but it requires a different level of intelligence and maturity,” Tshabalala told media at the squad’s farewell concert. “You can take the positives out of that and build up from it. We know he is a good player by virtue of being in the team.”
The former Kaizer Chiefs winger pointed to Foster’s Premier League experience as evidence of his quality.
“In the group he’s the one that plays at the highest level – in the EPL, which is ranked number one in the world. He’s got the experience, he’s got the heart.”
Tshabalala ended with a telling observation.
“I just hope that whenever they boo him, they wind him up and we see the best of him at the World Cup.”
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
