Mayo’s promise has Duba ready to fire for Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs striker Wandile Duba is embracing a personal challenge after receiving a promise of mentorship from new teammate Khanyisa Mayo.

The 21-year-old forward, who has tallied one assist but is yet to find the net in his four starts this season, admits his current form is below expectations, but he believes Mayo’s intervention can be the catalyst for change.

“I think I didn’t start my season very well, that’s why the coach ended up taking me out of the team. I wasn’t giving him what he wanted,” Duba confessed. “I’m still working on myself, being better, and getting back to the starting lineup.”

Duba acknowledged the immense pressure facing any Chiefs striker, especially given that recent signings like Mayo and Flavio Silva have quickly scored goals.

“I think every coach needs a striker who scores for his team because Flavio and Mayo got into the team, and both scored. I wasn’t doing that,” he noted. “But with the tactics and everything, I think I was doing it very well, but it was just a matter of me hitting the net.”

Mayo’s Crucial Promise Set to Spark Duba’s Chiefs Career

The turning point for Duba appears to be a recent conversation with Mayo, the former Cape Town City FC striker currently on loan from Algeria’s CR Belouizdad. Mayo, who has already made an impact by scoring against Marumo Gallants, has offered hands-on guidance.

Duba revealed the conversation took place following a CAF fixture: “Mayo came to me in the morning and was like, ‘You and I will work well together. If it means remaining behind together and practising shooting, I’m happy to do so.’”

Eager to benefit from the experience of the new arrivals, Duba added: “With the kind of experience the new strikers have, I think I will learn a lot to get back to my best.”

The Chiefs academy graduate is fully aware of the unforgiving demands at Naturena, especially for those leading the attack. “Being a striker at Kaizer Chiefs is not easy because not scoring for two games is a big issue. You know how our fans are. If you don’t score, you go out. Even for the coaches.”

Amakhosi now turn their attention to the Betway Premiership, where they will host Arthur Zwane’s AmaZulu FC at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday—a fixture Duba anticipates will be a stern test. “Every team, when they come to play against Kaizer Chiefs, they give their best, and it’s not going to be an easy game.”