Tefu Mashamaite has suggested that Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala would be part of the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad if he were playing for Orlando Pirates.
The 22-year-old attacker has earned just one senior cap for the national team and was previously placed on standby during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking after Chiefs’ 3-1 victory over Orbit College, Mashamaite described Shabalala as a modern-day number 10 and backed his quality despite a frustrating spell in front of goal. The young midfielder’s strike in that match marked his third goal of the season.
Shabalala gets his first goal of 2026 for Chiefs
“Shabba, for me, is an incredible player. I rate him very, very highly,” said Mashamaite.
“I believe if you were to take Shabalala right now and put him in the Pirates team, he would be going to the World Cup. Unfortunately, he is playing for a Chiefs side that is not doing very well. It’s unfortunate.
“Sometimes you become a star based on those who play around you,” he told Soccerbeat.
Despite his recent goal, Shabalala still faces an uphill battle to secure a place in the World Cup squad based on his current form.
However, with nine matches remaining in the season, he still has an opportunity to finish strongly and potentially force his way back into contention, even if only as a standby option in case of injuries.
Former Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi also praised Shabalala’s performance against Orbit College, highlighting the importance of his goal.
“I am happy for Shabba because he got so much flak. He’s one of those players who has been getting chances and missing them. Scoring that goal will give him a confidence boost, and I think it’s good for him and for the club,” Baloyi added.