Last weekend, Kaizer Chiefs ended a five-match winless run by beating SuperSport United 2-1. It might have been a good time to play Gavin Hunt’s limping side considering Matsatsantsa were on a run of one win in 14 matches and no clean sheets in 27 fixtures. The winner was scored by Mduduzi Shabalala, a first goal of the season for the 20-year-old. Without doubt, the talented playmaker needs to hit the back of the net more often. After being sidelined by Molefi Ntseki with just one start in 13 matches to begin this season, the risk of stagnating and losing motivation was possible for Shabalala. In this feature, Soccer Laduma takes a look at his best position, how he compares to his competition for the No. 10 role and whether coach Cavin Johnson will give him a run of games in that position.
More goals and shots are needed
The goal at Peter Mokaba Stadium against SuperSport United this past weekend was a first strike for Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala since February 2023 when he netted against Golden Arrows. After tucking home a finish from close range on his debut back in August 2023, it’s 2,000 minutes played and just two goals scored. For any regular starter in attacking areas at a club like Chiefs, that is nowhere near good enough. In fact, throughout last season, he only took 22 shots in the DStv Premiership with six hitting the target. Not only was he not scoring with regularity, he looked reluctant to even try his luck.
