Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala draws confidence from COSAFA Cup experience

Shabalala, 21, was part of Vela Khumalo's youthful South African side that finished as runners-up in the 2025 COSAFA Cup, hosted in Bloemfontein.

While the Amakhosi attacker has long been a standout at youth level, earning regular call-ups for the national junior teams, his breakthrough into the senior national setup has proven more elusive.

Nonetheless, the COSAFA opportunity has proven timely and meaningful for the talented playmaker, who is now aiming to carry that momentum into Kaizer Chiefs' CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

"Being selected for the national team was a huge honour. It was also good for my self-confidence and the games taught me a lot," the Amakhosi player told Idiski Times.

With Chiefs securing the Nedbank Cup title last season and booking their place in continental competition, Shabalala believes the lessons from his international stint will be vital when facing Africa's best.

"I have no doubt I'll be able to take all these lessons into the CAF Confederation Cup. A lot of other African countries play a more physical game than we're used to here. I also learnt a lot about the mental side of football," he added.

"I gained valuable insights - technically, mentally, and physically - and I believe it's going to make me a better player going forward."

Shabalala is currently with Amakhosi in their pre-season tour in the Netherlands. The club has already played three friendly games against Vitesse Arnhem, FC Utrecht and NEC Nijmegen - and lost all the games.