“He’s a player with a very big potential,” said Cedric Kaze, co-coach of Kaizer Chiefs, in reference to Mduduzi Shabalala following the team’s 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium on April 14, 2026.
Shabalala, who is just 22 years old, played a crucial role in the match by providing an assist for Flavio Silva’s opening goal. Kaze noted that Shabalala’s journey through a difficult patch has been encouraging, emphasizing the importance of consistency in his performance.
“But now we look for more consistency in his game,” Kaze added, underscoring the expectations placed on the young player as he develops in his career.
Under Kaze’s leadership, along with co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef, Kaizer Chiefs have achieved four consecutive wins, marking a significant turnaround for the team. This success has propelled them to a total of 42 points this season, surpassing their total from the last two seasons.
Kaze expressed optimism about the team’s prospects, stating, “We still have eight games to go until the end of the league, and we need to do everything game by game to try and finish as high as we can.” The team is currently aiming for a top two finish in the league.
He also mentioned that both Shabalala and teammate Aden McCarthy have received national team call-ups, highlighting their growing recognition in South African football.
As the season progresses, Kaizer Chiefs are on pace to collect at least 57 points, a significant improvement compared to their last league-winning season in 2014/15 when they amassed 69 points.
Kaze emphasized the need for players to believe more in their abilities and take risks on the field, a sentiment that reflects his coaching philosophy as the team strives for continued success.
