Until Wednesday evening, just 11 points were separating bottom-placed Bidvest Wits from log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on the table.
For Chiefs, who have had a rollercoaster season thus far, one win in six matches saw them jump from seventh place to third when they beat Platinum Stars 1-0 last Saturday.
They find themselves seven points away from Sundowns, who still have two games in hand and eight clear of Wits.
‘Shabba’ has admitted that he has never seen anything like this in his 13 years as a professional, while conceding that it has actually worked in Amakhosi’s favour.
“It’s very crazy the way it is now. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed such a situation, ever since I turned professional,” said Tshabalala.
“But on the other hand it has been very kind to us that we haven’t been winning and yet we still find ourselves in the top three after just one win.
“But I think it won’t be like this forever, soon it’s going to change and I think this [festive] break will give teams an opportunity to sharpen their swords and make sure, next month, it’s war.”
Since arriving at Naturena in 2007, the 33-year-old attacker has tallied seven domestic titles to his name but, since lifting the league trophy in May 2015, has gone two years and seven months without tasting success – admitting it’s his longest dry spell at Chiefs.
“Yes, I think it is [the longest spell without silverware],” responded Shabba. “I would say it’s worrying, it’s not a good feeling because we are all here to win trophies, we’re all here to make a name for ourselves and most importantly we’re all here to make a legacy.”