Mduduzi Shabalala carries Bafana high into Chiefs’ Congo CAF test

Mduduzi Shabalala is buzzing. Fresh off earning his first senior international cap for Bafana Bafana—a key moment in the 3-0 FIFA World Cup qualifier win over Rwanda on Tuesday—the young playmaker immediately linked up with his Kaizer Chiefs teammates for their flight to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 21-year-old is now looking to channel that international momentum into a crucial continental fixture: the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round first leg against AS Simba on Saturday in Lubumbashi.

“It was a great moment for me in my career because it is everyone’s dream to play for their country,” Shabalala told the club’s website, reflecting on his 88th-minute appearance in the victory that sent South Africa to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

Focus Shifts To Qualifying For CAF Group Stages for Mduduzi Shabalala

“Obviously, it is a big game for us. We need to win in order to qualify for the next stage,” Shabalala admits. Despite the intimidating conditions—a synthetic pitch and sweltering heat at the TP Mazembe stadium—the attacker is adopting a professional, mature approach.

“We are aware of the conditions… As far as the pitch is concerned, we just have to go out there and make the most of the situation. At the end of the day, we have to go and win a football match.”

Shabalala believes a key away goal could be decisive: “The pressure is on them and we want to win, or at least score in this game to give us an advantage going into the second-leg at home.”

The first leg kicks off on Saturday at 15:00, with the return leg scheduled for the following Sunday, 26 October, at Dobsonville Stadium.

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