Kaizer Chiefs’ dribbling wizard Mduduzi Shabalala remains confident amid the trying times that the once-feared Soweto giants face.
Shabalala said that he would continue to embrace every moment before the tide turned for the Glamour Boys.
Amakhosi find themselves in an unwanted position in the DStv Premiership and face the possibility of finishing outside of the top eight.
This season has been particularly bad for Amakhosi, as they are currently languishing on number 10 in the log standings with 30 points after 24 matches.
Amakhosi no longer have any trophies to compete for after losing to lower-division team Milford FC in the first round of the Nedbank Cup and missing out on the MTN8 (which Orlando Pirates won) and the Carling Knockout (which Stellenbosch FC won).
It is sad and painful
The 20-year-old Shabalala made his breakthrough into the Chiefs senior team under the leadership of former coach Arthur Zwane last season – where he racked up 22 appearances in all competitions.
However, this season has not been the same for the exciting prospect, having only featured 15 times for Amakhosi.
Most of these appearances came from the bench under coach Molefi Ntseki, who was fired in October 2023, and current caretaker coach Cavin Johnson.
Ahead of their clash against SuperSport United on Saturday, Shabalala expressed how painful it was to be criticised by supporters, however, he said he would savour the moment.
“It is sad and painful waking up every morning to see people doubting you, not having trust in you, and insulting you because you are not a good player,” Shabalala told the media at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena on Thursday.
“But I would say pressure is a privilege. Being in such a big team, in the situation we are in now, teaches you how to be a man.
“We are still young, and we are players who will be here in years when we will be having a good time on the team.”
Keeping the faith
With the ongoing challenges and an unpleasant run of form, Shabalala believes the only solution is to stay focused and positive and believe that the Chiefs will finish in an honourable position at the end of the season.
He explained: “From my observation, we need to keep going even though things are not going our way.
“It hasn’t been a good season, but we still have six games to go, and we think everything can just turn [around] in [just] one game.
“If we can win against SuperSport, that will move us back into the top eight because we are not that far off.
“It’s all about believing in ourselves and doing it for our fans, the club, and our families because that’s what pushes us more; that is the motivation behind everything.”
