Orlando Pirates legend Benedict Vilakazi opens up on Mduduzi Shabalala's Kaizer Chiefs problems - 'The boy is trying but he doesn’t have support'

Mduduzi Shabalala has been a Kaizer Chiefs regular player but has struggled to take the Premier Soccer League by storm.

In recent games, his form has regressed, coming on as a substitute, including in Saturday's Nedbank Cup victory over Orlando Pirates.

Former Pirates midfielder Benedict Vilakazi has stated what he thinks is holding Sahabalala from realising his full potential.

“I just said to him ‘boy, you just need to be yourself in the game and do what you can do best. I know it’s hard’,” said Tso on iDiski TV. 

“‘Sometimes you find that you want to try something but it’s not working, but what’s important is that you as an individual contribute even if you don’t have assistance but come with a plan because at the end of the day when you’ve got the ball the decision comes from you’. 

“He said ‘grootman, it’s hard because sometimes you need assistance and you don’t get it’. Then I said, unfortunately, as a professional player, when you are in that position, you need to dig, show what you are capable of show us," added Pirates' all-time goal-scorer. 

"I mean, we can see that the boy is trying, but he doesn’t have support, but if you are not even trying, you are as good as dead. 

“Well done, boy, and this is what we want to see from you, to say yes there’s no movement, but you tried something. I thought they had lost that action when he turned back, but it happened that the ball went to [Ashley] Du Preez and Du Preez kept it alive and to the captain.”

Shabalala has struggled to live up to expectations after bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old who looked very promising.

But his contribution at Chiefs has been minimal amid some flashes of brilliance here and there.

His inconsistency has been attributed to Amakhosi's overall performances, especially in the Premier Soccer League.

With Chiefs having won the Nedbank Cup to end a 10-year trophy drought, that is expected to motivate most of their players, including Shabalala.

Amakhosi's last two PSL games are an opportunity for Shabalala to show that he deserves to be a regular again next season.