Shabalala World Cup Hopes In Doubt After Sundowns Clash
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has expressed his frustration following an injury suffered by youngster Mduduzi Shabalala during a crucial stage of the season, with the FIFA World Cup on the horizon.
The 21-year-old midfielder was injured following a challenge from Jayden Adams during Chiefs’ 1-1 Betway Premiership clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Shabalala was substituted on the stroke of half-time and replaced by Gastón Sirino after making a significant impact on the match.
Before being forced off, the talented midfielder provided the assist for Flavio Da Silva’s opening goal as Amakhosi started the encounter brightly. Shabalala has been one of Chiefs’ standout performers this season, scoring five league goals and registering four assists.
The Amakhosi academy graduate’s impressive performances have also seen him enter the plans of Hugo Broos, having been included in the South Africa national football team squad last year while also being placed on standby for the Africa Cup of Nations squad.
However, the latest injury could now negatively affect his chances of being involved again as South Africa continue preparations for the World Cup.
Speaking after the match, Ben Youssef admitted he was disappointed to lose one of the club’s brightest young talents because of the challenge.
“I hope that Shabalala will be back as soon as possible,” said Ben Youssef.
“Unfortunately, he suffered a serious injury to his hand, and I hope he will return soon because this player was fighting to be part of Bafana Bafana and to go to the World Cup.
“You have to understand that we need to protect our young players. Football should not be like that, and you cannot expect this kind of challenge and then only give a yellow card.
“We have to protect young players because now we have lost Shabalala, and we were also close to losing Sirino. It was the same kind of challenge that we saw on Shabalala. So, we have to protect Shabalala from these kinds of challenges.”
The clash at Loftus Versfeld saw a record-breaking 12 fouls committed in the first thirty minutes alone, highlighting the physical nature Ben Youssef referred to.
It is why Shabalala was not the only player forced off because of injury during the physical encounter, as Sundowns defender Keanu Cupido was also substituted in the first half following a challenge involving Chiefs midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu.
Ben Youssef explained that the aggressive nature of the game was influenced by the pressure both teams carried heading into the fixture.
“I think both teams came here under different kinds of pressure to achieve something,” he added.
“Sundowns wanted to win the league, and they did not want to drop any points. From our side, I said before that we came here to win, and that was the importance of this game for both teams.”
Following the draw, Chiefs remain third in the Betway Premiership standings with 48 points, five ahead of AmaZulu FC in the race for a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Sundowns, meanwhile, remain at the top of the table with 65 points, three ahead of Orlando Pirates, who still have a game in hand as the title race continues to intensify.
Chiefs will now travel to Polokwane this weekend to face Sekhukhune United, who are also chasing a top-three finish, while Sundowns will host Siwelele, who are pushing for a top-eight spot.
