Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala has reflected on the challenges and criticism he has faced since breaking into the club’s first team.
The 22-year-old made his senior debut in 2022 at the age of 18, featuring against Moroka Swallows.
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Since then, his journey has been something of a rollercoaster, marked by impressive performances as well as periods where he came under scrutiny when results or form did not go his way.
In the 100 appearances he has made for the Phefeni Glamour Boys across all competitions, Shabalala has scored 11 goals and registered six assists.
The midfielder acknowledged that playing for a club as big as Kaizer Chiefs comes with immense pressure, admitting that it took him time to learn how to deal with the criticism that comes with wearing the jersey.
However, Shabalala believes that pulling on the famous gold-and-black shirt of the Soweto giants offers invaluable growth, adding that the experience has helped him mature both on and off the pitch.
“It took me some time to be able to handle critics cause when you’re young, you’re happy when they talk good things about you but when bad is said, you can’t deal with them,” said Shabalala.
“But for now, I’ve been around players who’ve been in the same situations as mine and learnt from them. They also taught me.
“And also being in this type of environment makes one grow because you can see things in a mature way not with emotions.”
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