
Is Kaizer Chiefs star Mdu Shabalala finished?
Kaizer Chiefs fans adore Mduduzi Shabalala. However, there's been a shift in his squad status and public perception.
Mdu was only a substitute in Chiefs' recent Nedbank Cup win over Orlando Pirates. Only a bold man would predict that Mduduzi Shabalala will leave Chiefs in the winter. However, his long-term prospects don't look great. How much does the player want to become a legend at the club? 21-year-old Shabalala was included in a recent preliminary Bafana Bafana squad but hasn't made the final 23 selected by Hugo Broos.
THREE key areas for Chiefs to improve
At the start of 2024-2025, Mdu Shabalala was a critical component in the Chiefs side, operating from the number 10 role. His output was healthy, too. However, that has dwindled dramatically. After 27 league appearances, he's only got four goals and an assist. His decision-making can also be questioned; with three men ahead of him and only two defenders, an easy pass would have guaranteed that Chiefs doubled their lead against Pirates in their league encounter earlier this month. Instead, he carelessly gave it away, and the Sea Robbers scored on the break through Evidence Makgopa. Mdu or Die in action. Image: @kaizerchiefs / X
According to FARPost, Chiefs' PSL rivals Stellenbosch won't be pursuing Asanele Velebayi as they already have a winger of a similar profile in the shape of Langelihle Phili. Velebayi's Cape Town Spurs side have been relegated to South Africa's third tier following a 15th-place finish in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
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