Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane is aware of the hype that has been generated around Mduduzi Shabalala and says the club will try all it could to nurture him to reach his potential.
Shabalala has shone in this rebuilding Amakhosi side this season, scoring two league goals in eight appearances, including in the 3-2 loss to Golden Arrows this past weekend.
He took his chance well in that match, losing his marker with the pose of a dummy before blasting the ball into the roof of the net to score Chiefs’ second goal.
But Chiefs could not hold onto their lead, with Arrows scoring two goals in the second half to win the contest.
Because Nkosingiphile Ngcobo is out for the rest of the season due to the injury, Zwane is set to unleash Shabalala in the attack against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday (15:30), as he is also without Khama Billiat through the long term injuries.
Both Ngcobo and Billiat featured in the Derby in October in which Chiefs won 1-0, and the coach insisted they’re doing their best to keep the youngster grounded.
“That is very key, Mdu is one of the players that has been doing well for the club and you try by all means to keep him level headed,” said Zwane.
“Because you know what is happening out there. The minute he hears people giving credit to him, he might receive it in a different way, so we are trying to guide him and so far so good.
“He has responded positively and he’s a very good young man. He listens, he’s focused and he knows what he wants and that is the good thing.
“We will try by all means to make sure that we keep him grounded.”
On top of unleashing Shabalala, Zwane is also set to hand Siyethemba Sithebe his Derby debut in place of Njabulo Blom, who left in the January transfer window. Blom played in the double pivot with Yusuf Maart in that game, who scored a wonder goal to decide the match.
