Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has opened up on the psychological intervention required to help talented attacker Mduduzi Shabalala navigate a storm of social media criticismย in the past few weeks.
The 22-year-old attacker, who helped the Glamour Boys secure their fourth consecutive Betway Premiership victory with a 2-0 win over TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon at FNB Stadium, had previously become a lightning rod for fan frustration following a run of wasteful performances.
Amakhosi secured a vital maximum-point haul against the Rockets, courtesy of strikes from Flavio Silva and Glody Lilepo in each half of the encounter. The opening goal was orchestrated by the rejuvenated Shabalala, who executed a brilliant, driving run to the byline before delivering a pinpoint cross for Silva to head home.
This decisive result bolsters Chiefs’ aspirations of a top-three finish, a placement essential for securing qualification for next season’s CAF inter-club competitions. The triumph over Galaxy catapults the Soweto giants to 42 points, a tally built on 12 victories, six draws, and four losses across 22 league outings. Crucially, this momentum was sustained by a winning streak that preceded the Galaxy clash, featuring successes against Durban City FC, Magesi FC, and Orbit College FC.
CHIEFS WIN STREAK: THE ROLE OF SHABALALAโS NEW โSTRONG MENTALITYโ
The Glamour Boys appear to have turned the corner following a dismal mid-season slump, the nadir of which was a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Orlando Pirates. That period of underwhelming form sparked such intense frustration that supporters staged a protest at Naturena Village, demanding the dismissal of the technical team.
However, recent performances have painted a far more optimistic picture, with Shabalala emerging as a central figure in the club’s reversal of fortunes. The Bafana Bafana international has directly contributed to the surge with a goal and an assist in his last two appearances, signalling a confident return to the peak form that first made him a fan favourite.
WHAT KAZE TOLD SHABALALA AFTER HEAVY CRITICISM
During Chiefs’ struggles, Shabalala emerged as a primary target for intense public scrutiny, largely due to a perceived lack of composure within the final third and the squandering of several big scoring opportunities. This wastefulness in front of goal made him a lightning rod for frustration as the team struggled to convert dominant play into tangible results.
Reflecting on Shabalalaโs fluctuating form at Naturena, Kaze revealed that the young attacker was deeply demoralised by his own recent displays; nevertheless, the technical staff reassured him that such slumps are an inherent part of the professional game, emphasising that the primary solution lay in cultivating a resilient psychological approach.
Kaze further elaborated that the coaching department felt it was essential to conduct intensive, heart-to-heart sessions with the Bafana Bafana international. These discussions were designed to rebuild his shattered confidence and instil the unwavering mental toughness required to thrive amid the unrelenting, high-pressure expectations that define the environment at Chiefs.
โShabalala is a player with a very big potential. It’s true that sometimes he felt disappointed by his performances and the harsh criticism that came to him,โ Kaze said.
โWe always tell him that’s part of being a football player, the biggest thing is to have a strong mentality, keep working hard, and improve every day. I’m happy that he’s turning the corner, but now we are looking for more consistency in his game.โ
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