| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 20 January 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Soweto | ||
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
| Number | 42 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Kaizer Chiefs | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | Kaizer Chiefs | 43 | (7) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2020–2021 South Africa U17 | |||
| 2022– South Africa U20 | |||
| 2023– South Africa U23 | |||
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 May 2024 | |||
Mduduzi "Mdu" Shabalala (born 20 January 2004) is a South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premier Division. He is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in South Africa.[2]
Shabalala grew up as an Orlando Pirates supporter, but joined the Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at age 18.[3] He had played in the Lenasia Football Academy.[4]
After winning the 2020 COSAFA Under-17 Championship, he went on trial with Villarreal CF. After impressing for Kaizer Chiefs' Diski Challenge Shield team in 2021–22, Shabalala went on trial with KVC Westerlo, and was given his first-team debut against Moroka Swallows in May 2022.[5] According to iDiski Times, Westerlo also made a bid for the player, but the negotiations with the Chiefs broke down.[6]
Shabalala did not win the 2022 COSAFA U-20 Cup with South Africa, which also acted as the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, but was named in the Team of the Tournament.[7][8] He was formally promoted to Kaizer Chiefs's senior team on 1 December 2022.[9]
Shabalala was called "a standout player" during the winter part of the 2022-23 South African Premier Division.[10][11] During the 2023-24 South African Premier Division, Shabalala played semi-regularly, but did not establish himself as a key player yet. The team also struggled in mid-table.[12][13][14]