'Kaizer Chiefs didn't lose games because of Shabalala!' Mduduzi defended after recent blunder ahead of Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates

Mduduzi Shabalala is among the Kaizer Chiefs players who stood up when Nasreddine Nabi needed players to deliver.

So far, he has played 31 games across all competitions with four goals and two assists.

The goals have come from the 26 games played in the Premier Soccer League, where he has also managed to get an assist.

The latest engagement for Shabalala was last Saturday in the Soweto Derby when he cheaply gave away possession, and it ended with Orlando Pirates scoring an equaliser, which eventually helped them win 2-1.

It was not the only time the 21-year-old was caught against Bucs, who have now won their last five games against Chiefs across all competitions.

Shabalala has been under harsh criticism from Amakhosi supporters online.

However, the club's assistant coach has defended the midfielder and other youngsters, insisting the loss was a collective responsibility.

“Concerns about Mdu and the youngsters we have, I don’t believe or think, we lost the games because of Mdu or any other player, but we didn’t do enough to win the game, all of us, from those who started and those who came off the bench,” Cedric Kaze stated.

“We analysed what we did good [against Pirates] and what we didn’t do so good this week, and we know.

"For example how important Shabalala has been this season, especially at the beginning of the season, how instrumental he was, and how good he is.

“We believe in difficult moments, we need to be there for young players, and they’ll learn from what happens on the field going forward," Kaze concluded.

Shabalala has to step up if he gets a chance on Saturday and help Chiefs beat Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final.

The Glamour Boys are desperate to stop Bucs from winning the competition for the third time in a row.

It will also help them mend their strained relationship with fans after the Premier Soccer League struggles.