Ex-Kaizer Chiefs defender convinced Mduduzi Shabalala can carry Amakhosi like Relebohile Mofokeng is doing at Orlando Pirates - 'There's nothing stopping him'

In the ongoing campaign, Kaizer Chiefs have been relying on youngsters to deliver.

Coach Nasreddien Nabi was forced to rely on the team's graduates after the management failed to get him the players he wanted.

A long-term injury to Edson Castillo and the absence of Gaston Sirino did not make things better.

One of the players who has been a permanent feature in Nabi's midfield is the 23-year-old Shabalala.

So far, he has managed to get four goals and two assists in the 15 games played across all competitions.

According to former Amakhosi defender Tefu Mashamaite, Shabalala can be a revelation at the club just like Orlando Pirates sensation Relebohile Mofokeng who has been delivering for the Sea Robbers despite being just 20.

“I mean, like you see it at Pirates, you see it at Sundowns. So why not at Chiefs, why can’t a youngster like Mduduzi carry the team?” Mashamaite told iDiski Times.

"Mofokeng is carrying Pirates; we can argue for that. So, it’s just down to also the youngsters at Chiefs to also say, you know what if Pirates is doing it, if Sundowns is doing it, then why not us?

"You are no longer young enough to say, ‘No, I can’t carry that burden’. If things are not going well for the team, you raise your hand and you just stake a claim and you create a legacy for yourself," he continued.

“You might be remembered for being that youngster who carried the team when things were not going well. So just like throw your name in there. So, I feel like he’s got the potential, he’s shown that, like, I can turn this team, and you just see the hunger in his eyes.

“I encourage those around him just to support him and to give him enough support to make sure that he rises to the level where he really can perform at his best.”

All eyes will be on Shabalala, once again, on Sunday when Kaizer Chiefs host Free Agents in the Nedbank's Round of 32 assignment.

If he continues to deliver consistently, it will not be surprising to see him make the Bafana Bafana squad for future engagements.