Kaizer Chiefs defender Bradley Cross has leaped to the defence of teammate Mduduzi Shabalala, shielding the attacker from the wave of criticism that followed the club’s Nedbank Cup exit at the hands of Stellenbosch FC.
The Nedbank Cup defending champions were eliminated from the Last 32 stage after an exciting encounter at the sold-out Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.
A disastrous opening period saw them leak two goals within the first 25 minutes, and despite a second-half resurgence that saw them pull one back, they ultimately slumped to a 2-1 defeat.
However, Shabalala found himself on the receiving end of criticism from the Amakhosi faithful after the match. This is after the 22-year-old missed three great opportunities that could have changed the complexion of the match.
KAIZER CHIEFS PLAYERS BEHIND MDUDU SHABALALA AFTER CRITICISM
Cross says the players have rallied behind Shabalala and know he has a strong mentality to bounce back. The defender was addressing the media in Mphagani Village, just outside Giyani, where Chiefs were engaged in a community outreach programme to provide relief to flood-stricken residents.
“We all support him, and we are with him. Like I said, that [bad day in the office] happens to everyone,” said Cross in Giyani on Friday.
“Everyone can miss opportunities. At the end of the day, we all surround him and comfort him. He knows himself, he is strong mentally, and we all have his back.”
BRADLEY CROSS ADMITS THE MATCH AGAINST AL MASRY IS A MUST-WIN
After the mid-week setback, Chiefs will now shift their focus to the CAF Confederation Cup Group D penultimate tie against Al Masry at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday afternoon.
A win by a two-goal margin would secure Amakhosi a place in the knockout stages, regardless of what happens in their last match against Zamalek on Saturday, 14 February. Cross insists the side will give their all to qualify for the next phase of the continental competition.
“It’s very important, it’s a must-win for us. If we want to proceed through to the next round, it’s definitely a must.
“We give our all in every competition. We don’t go to any other competition and don’t give 100 per cent. So we are going to go into this game and give 110 per cent. No matter the league or whatever.”
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