Kaizer Chiefs have endured another underwhelming campaign but two of their younger stars deserve some credit.
Kaizer Chiefs stars who’ve shone in 2024-2025
Rushwin Dortley
Rushwin Dortley is relatively young for his position as a 22-year-old central defender. The former Cape Town Spurs man has settled right into his pressurised surroundings, becoming one of the first names on the team sheet for Chiefs and now Bafana Bafana. Calm and cultured on the ball and impressively aggressive in the air, Dortley has what it takes to become one of the best defenders in the country. The problem with their reliance on Dortley is that he’s yet to have a slump in form, and now he’s picked up a season-ending knee injury after playing in 18 of their 20 Betway Premiership matches.
Mduduzi Shabalala
20-year-old Mduduzi Shabalala struggled with inconsistency and a lack of game time during patches of 2023-2024 but this campaign has seen him come into his own in the number 10 role. With four goals and an assist in 19 games in the league, he’s one of Chiefs’ most productive players but his output has fallen off in recent matches, which mirrors the entire club. Like Dortley, he’s been a near ever-present in the league. Unfortunately, even Mdu isn’t immune to bad moments.
MTN8 finish in jeopardy for Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs dominated possession and mustered 17 shots at the City goal but failed to get on the score sheet. Mduduzi Shabalala missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the 42nd minute but, in truth, Chiefs didn’t create much else of value. It’s a result that leaves them in eighth place in the Betway Premiership with 29 points after 21 games. Golden Arrows are ninth with 24 points, but they have three games in hand on Amakhosi. It’s not unthinkable to suggest that Arrows could usurp their more illustrious rivals by the end of 2024-2025. Knox Mutizwa was the only goal-scorer as Arrows claimed a slender 1-0 win away to Polokwane on Wednesday. Intriguingly, Abafana Bes’thende host Chiefs on March 30th. That looks like a pivotal clash in the race for a top eight finish.
Will Chiefs sneak into the top eight this season?
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