Mduduzi Shabalala is prepared to make a significant impact as Kaizer Chiefs return to action. The Soweto giants are back on the pitch following the Africa Cup of Nations break.
The young midfielder celebrates his 22nd birthday this Tuesday. On the same day, Chiefs host Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium. Shabalala aims to further establish his influence in the team.
A Consistent Presence
Shabalala has been a vital part of the squad this season. He is the only player to feature in every match so far. This includes their CAF Confederation Cup appearance against AS Simba.
His statistical contribution currently stands at 11 goals and six assists from attacking midfield. Now, a major career milestone is within reach.
The Race to 100 Games
The Amakhosi number 7 has made 97 appearances for the club. He could reach the 100-game mark by the end of January.
Chiefs have three matches scheduled for the remainder of the month:
- Golden Arrows (Home)
- ZESCO United (Away)
- Marumo Gallants (Away)
Playing in all three fixtures would secure his century. This achievement comes at a time of high competition among young South African talents. For comparison, Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng reached 100 games in September 2025. Although Shabalala debuted a year earlier than Mofokeng, his path to the century has taken more time.
International Ambitions
His consistency has caught the eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Shabalala was recently placed on the standby list for the AFCON finals.
The ultimate goal for the midfielder is a spot in the World Cup squad. To achieve this, he must continue to elevate his performance in the famous Gold and Black colors. You can find more updates on local football in our news section.
Source: kickoff.com