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Mduduzi Shabalala

Mduduzi Shabalala
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-01-20) 20 January 2004 (age 20)
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. He is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in South Africa.[2]

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.
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