Mduduzi Shabalala

Mduduzi Shabalala

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-01-20) 20 January 2004 (age 21)
Place of birth	Soweto
Height	1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) [1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Kaizer Chiefs
Number	42
Youth career
	Kaizer Chiefs
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–	Kaizer Chiefs	43	(7)
International career‡
	2020–2021 South Africa U17
	2022– South Africa U20
	2023– South Africa U23
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 May 2024

Mduduzi "Mdu" Shabalala (born 20 January 2004) is a South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premier Division. ^[2] known for his creativity, long passing and dribbling. He is regarded as one of the best young players in South Africa.

Shabalala grew up as an Orlando Pirates supporter, but joined the Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at age 18. ^[3] He had played in the Lenasia Football Academy. ^[4]

After winning the 2020 COSAFA Under-17 Championship, he went on trial with Villarreal CF. After impressing for Kaizer Chiefs' Diski Challenge Shield team in 2021–22, Shabalala went on trial with KVC Westerlo, and was given his first-team debut against Moroka Swallows in May 2022. ^[5] According to iDiski Times, Westerlo also made a bid for the player, but the negotiations with the Chiefs broke down. ^[6]

Shabalala did not win the 2022 COSAFA U-20 Cup with South Africa, which also acted as the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, but was named in the Team of the Tournament. ^{[7] [8]} He was formally promoted to Kaizer Chiefs's senior team on 1 December 2022. ^[9]

Shabalala was called "a standout player" during the winter part of the 2022-23 South African Premier Division. ^{[10] [11]} During the 2023-24 South African Premier Division, Shabalala played semi-regularly, but did not establish himself as a key player yet. The team also struggled in mid-table. ^{[12] [13] [14]}

References

1. Mduduzi Shabalala at WorldFootball.net
2. Mduduzi Shabalala at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
3. Baleka, Mihlali (21 February 2023). "Not in the name of the father, Why Kaizer Chiefs fan Mduduzi Shabalala jumped the Pirate ship". IOL. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
4. "Mduduzi Shabalala: The Prince of Naturena". Sports Club. 21 June 2023. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
5. Kohler, Lorenz (25 May 2022). "Debutant Shabalala Tipped For Massive Chiefs Future". iDiski Times. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
6. "Why Shabalala Move From Chiefs To Belgium Failed". iDiski Times. 9 July 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
7. Ditlhobolo, Austin (12 October 2022). "U23 Afcon Qualifiers: Kaizer Chiefs youngster Shabalala ignored by Zwane but makes South Africa squad". Goal. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
8. "2 Chiefs Youngsters Named In COSAFA U20 Team of the Tournament". iDiski Times. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
9. "Confirmed: Chiefs Promoted 3 Starlets To Senior Squad". iDiski Times. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
10. Monoalibe, Siyasanga (23 February 2023). "Chiefs dribbling wizard Mduduzi Shabalala keen to play in Europe". Sunday World. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
11. Vardien, Tashreeq (27 February 2023). "'Mdu is a special talent': Zwane applauds 19-year-old for Soweto derby 'arrogance'". News 24. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
12. Abrahams, Celine (25 April 2024). "Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala opens up about the club's ongoing challenges, expressing empathy for emerging players - 'Every one bad game, we are bad players'". Goal. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
13. Willis, Seth (2 May 2024). "Kaizer Chiefs' Mduduzi Shabalala explains why comparisons with Orlando Pirates' Relebohile Mofokeng are not fair - 'Situations are not the same'". Goal. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
14. "Shabalala Makes Honest Self Assessment Over 'Bad' Season". iDiski Times. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.