Chiefs coach heaps praise on Shabalala

‘I hope it continues and he can be part of the Bafana Bafana squad at the World Cup,’ said Ben Youssef.

Kaizer Chiefs co-head coach Khalil Ben Youssef has praised Mduduzi Shabalala after the Amakhosi midfielder made his 100th appearance for the club.

Shabalala’s Chiefs milestone

Shabalala came off the bench in the second half of Chiefs’ 1-0 Caf Confederation Cup Group D win over Zesco United on Sunday.

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The result puts Chiefs on seven points in the group, level with Al Masry and just one point behind leaders Zamalek.

Chiefs need to finish in the top two in the group to make the quarterfinals and will play Al Masry at home and Zamalek away in their final two games.

“Shabalala is one of the best players, he is performing well … he is very smart. All the advice we give him he is always ready. He is performing well, he is a professional player and I hope it continues and he can be part of the Bafana Bafana squad at the World Cup,” Ben Youssef told reporter’s after Glody Lilepo’s first half goal was enough to give Amakhosi all three points.

Chiefs will now play Stellenbosch on Wednesday in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup at the Cape Town Stadium.

That game will be another test of Chiefs’ fitness in a hectic timetable. Chiefs have had to travel from Zambia to Mangaung to Durban, all in the space of eight days, and now they are off to the Western Cape.

‘We finished this game so tired’

“We have been away from our home in camp playing every two days,” added Ben Youssef.

“The players promised to give what is left in their legs for this game (against Zesco). I have to congratulate the technical team, the fitness coach, the doctor.

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“We finished this game so tired, but when the heart is there and you play to win, nothing can stop you.

“Now we have to start thinking about Stellenbosch. We have no time to rest, we must continue to work.”