Shabalala Eyes Bafana Bafana Call-Up

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala has expressed his determination to seize the opportunity to represent Bafana Bafana if selected in the final squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. 

The 21-year-old has been included in the preliminary squad by coach Hugo Broos, alongside his teammate Bradley Cross. 

Broos will trim his squad at Thursday’s press conference, with Bafana Bafana facing Lesotho and Nigeria at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein next month. 

Shabalala has been in excellent form for Amakhosi, playing all three games of the season and impressing with his performances, despite yet scoring his first goal of the season.

For Shabalala, representing Bafana Bafana is a dream come true. 

“I think it’s everyone’s dream to play for Bafana or to represent their national teams,” said Shabalala, who was part of the Bafana COSAFA Cup in June that lost in the final to Angola.  

“For me, I think I just need to work hard in these two upcoming games so that I can put myself in the national team.

“It’s not easy to be in the national team, but the good thing is that my team has been performing very well this season so far. 

“So, for me, it’s all about doing my job and waiting for the right moment. I think if the right moment is now, then I believe everything is going to happen.” 

Shabalala’s experience in representing the national team at various levels, including U17, U20, and U23, has prepared him for this moment. 

The former Amakhosi DStv Diski Challenge team captain made his debut for Bafana Bafana this year in the COSAFA Cup in Free State under the guidance of Vela Khumalo.

Shabalala will be looking to make a strong impression in the remaining two league games against Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Wednesday and Golden Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday before the international break.