Shabalala criticism played down by Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Kaze

Mduduzi Shabalala. Photo credit: Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze has jumped to the defence of young midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala, who has been heavily criticised for his recent performances.

The 21-year-old, Shabalala, was earmarked as a potential cornerstone of the Chiefs team and showed his quality early in the PSL season with four goals and an assist in his opening ten league games.

However, Shabalala has now gone 16 games without a direct goal contribution, delivering below-par displays. In Amakhosi's most recent game last Saturday in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates, he faced criticism for his part in the two goals Chiefs conceded in the 2-1 defeat at FNB Stadium.

But as Chiefs prepare for the upcoming Nedbank Cup final against Pirates, set to be staged this Saturday in Durban, Kaze has shown Shabalala support.

While addressing the media at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, Kaze dismissed the notion that the midfielder was to blame for Chiefs' recent losses.

"Concerns about Mdu and the youngsters we have, I don’t believe we lost the games because of Mdu or any other player. We didn’t do enough to win the game, all of us, from those who started and those who came off the bench,” explained Kaze.

"We analysed what we did well and what we didn’t do so well this week, and we know, for example, how important Shabalala has been this season, especially at the beginning of the season.

"How instrumental he was, and how good he is. We believe that in difficult moments, we need to be there for young players, and they will learn from what happens on the field going forward.”