Khumalo backs Shabalala to end goal drought

By Dylan Bettencourt

• Mduduzi Shabalala has been getting stick from some Chiefs fans after missing chances in recent matches against Stellenbosch and Al Masry.

• Doctor Khumalo told Shabalala at a Carling event that criticism will push him to perform and the drought will turn around.

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has given midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala encouragement after recent missed chances.

Shabalala has been criticised by some fans for missing opportunities. He missed chances in Chiefs’ 2-1 Nedbank Cup defeat to Stellenbosch. On Sunday against Al Masry, he missed another that would have made it 3-1 in the Caf Confederation Cup Group D match.

Chiefs need at least a point against Zamalek in Suez on Saturday to reach the quarterfinals.

Khumalo spoke at the announcement of a partnership between Carling and Chiefs.

“These are footballing problems, you must understand and be stronger,” he said.

“Don’t lose composure or focus. You are who you are because God gave you the talent. You are going through a phase, everything will be sorted.”

He said scoring against Zamalek could be the start of good things.

“So don’t feel bad about being criticised. Criticism propels you to perform,” he said.

Khumalo played for Chiefs against Zamalek in the 1993 Caf Champions League. A 1-0 loss in Cairo meant Amakhosi went out in the second preliminary round.

He said he watched Zamalek when Chiefs played them in Polokwane. The teams drew 1-1 in that Group D match.

“They are a very good team, well organised with good players. It is going to be a difficult game away,” he said.

Zamalek have won the Caf Confederation Cup twice, in the 2018/19 and 2023/24 seasons.

“I don’t think they will want Al Masry to go to the next stage with Chiefs,” Khumalo said.

He said people think Chiefs winning by small margins is a problem but the game has changed.

“Everyone is talking about the strikers but if you want to win even the defenders can score,” he said.

Pictured above: Mduduzi Shabalala.

Image source: Mduduzi Shabalala/Instagram