Shabalala’s near loan move sparked a breakthrough at Kaizer Chiefs, according to Kick Off.
Rising star Mduduzi Shabalala has positioned himself as a key player for Chiefs after seizing his opportunity to impress head coach Nasreddine Nabi and the technical team. At just 20 years old, Shabalala has emerged as one of the team’s most dangerous attacking threats, starting all three matches of the season so far.
Loan move talks the catalyst
Insiders reveal that Shabalala nearly went out on loan, but he has instead embraced his chance in the early stages of the 2024/2025 season. His performance speaks volumes; he scored in a 2-1 victory against Marumo Gallants and delivered a brilliant assist during the 3-1 win over AmaZulu FC. “He is one of the players that took their chances and he deserves it because he’s been working very hard,” a source commented. “It’s been tough for him in recent seasons, but he is enjoying his football at the moment, and the coach is trusting him with more and more responsibility.”
Shabalala has already racked up 47 senior appearances for Chiefs, yet he has often struggled to meet the high expectations set during his time in the DStv Diski Challenge. However, early indications suggest that this fourth season with the senior team, especially under the new technical staff, could finally see him reach his potential as a top-class talent. His two goals in just three appearances bring him close to matching his overall contribution from 21 matches last season.
Support from new arrivals for Chiefs star
The skillful midfielder benefits from the experience of seasoned players like Gaston Sirino, whose presence alleviates the pressure on Shabalala and fellow creatives like Mfundo Vilakazi. Nabi praised Sirino, saying, “He is one of the greatest examples of age quality, and he has a lot of positive impact on the whole team when you think about players like Shabalala, Vilakazi, and [Samkelo] Zwane.”
With Chiefs set to return to league action on 26 October against SuperSport United, fans eagerly anticipate Shabalala’s continued rise and impact on the team.
Stay tuned with The South African as Mduduzi Shabalala’s near loan move sparks a breakthrough at Kaizer Chiefs.
Let us know your thoughts by clicking on the comment tab below this article. Or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook.
