George Lebese Criticizes Kaizer Chiefs for Overloading Mduduzi Shabalala: “The Weight is Too Much for Him”

Mduduzi Shabalala, a rising talent for Kaizer Chiefs, has drawn attention for his consistent presence in the team’s lineup. At just 20 years old, Shabalala is in his third full season playing Premier Soccer League (PSL) football. While he has shown glimpses of brilliance, former Amakhosi midfielder George Lebese believes the team is putting undue pressure on the young star, potentially hindering his development.

Shabalala’s Role in Kaizer Chiefs

Shabalala has featured in all nine of Kaizer Chiefs’ games across competitions this season. His contributions include three league goals in seven matches, making him one of the team’s standout performers. However, the weight of being a regular starter in a club of Chiefs’ stature seems immense for someone so young.

According to Lebese, the current lack of experienced mentors in the team has left players like Shabalala without the guidance needed to navigate the demands of top-flight football.

Lebese’s Perspective

Speaking to FARPost, Lebese shared his concerns about the team’s approach:

“I like Shabalala. One of the few players I spoke with. But the difference now at Chiefs is we had you guys [Josta Dladla] with experience. You come in there. I would be on the bench for you, and you would tell me: ‘Look for you to improve, you must bench me.’ They [current Chiefs youngsters] don’t have that.

“It is all youngsters, and the weight is too much for him [Mdu Shabalala] alone to [carry the team]. We expect him to win the games, and there’s where I feel [experience is needed].”

Lebese’s comments highlight the gap left by experienced players who previously played a critical role in nurturing upcoming talent at Chiefs.

The Bigger Picture

Shabalala’s development is under scrutiny, particularly as some of his contemporaries have already reached the international stage. Players like Mamelodi Sundowns’ Thapelo Maseko and Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng have made their Bafana Bafana debuts, intensifying expectations for Shabalala to follow suit.

While Shabalala has shown promise this season, it is evident that he requires more support to reach his full potential. The burden of carrying a team’s performance, particularly one with the legacy of Kaizer Chiefs, may hinder rather than help his growth.

What Lies Ahead for Shabalala?

As the PSL season progresses, Shabalala isn’t alone in the spotlight. Fellow youngsters Wandile Duba and Mfundo Vilakazi are also vying for recognition and could share the responsibility of uplifting the team.

The challenge for Nasreddine Nabi’s Kaizer Chiefs is clear: balance nurturing young talent with integrating experienced players who can provide mentorship. For Shabalala, reducing the weight of expectations might be the key to unlocking his potential and cementing his place as one of South Africa’s future football stars.

As the Soweto giants gear up for their next match against Polokwane City, all eyes will be on how Shabalala handles the pressure and whether the team adjusts its approach to better support its young talents.