Wandile Duba broke into the Kaizer Chiefs first team during the 2023/24 season at just 18.
Having impressed in the Diski Challenge, the young attacker was promoted to the senior team and scored a brilliant goal in Amakhosi’s 1-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows in 2014.
Since then, he has established himself and looks to be the next rising star.
Duba started the 2024/25 season as a starter under Nasreddine Nabi and quickly tore defences apart with his pace. In the first eight matches, he scored four goals and was one of the players to watch at Chiefs.
Midseason slump cost Wandile Duba his place at Chiefs
Poor form saw Duba replaced in the starting eleven with the likes of Glody Lilepo and Pule Mmodi occupying wide positions.
Having used sparingly in the second half of the season, Duba produced a Man of the Match performance against Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup. Before that match, the 21-year-old made a promise to the Amakhosi fans that the team would end their 20-year drought and win the Nedbank Cup.
Wandile Duba kept his promise as Chiefs went on to beat rivals Orlando Pirates in the final. Unfortunately, that was the striker’s last real impact at Amakhosi.
Why did Duba’s form drop? Is Chiefs to blame?
Duba was inconsistent last season, but due to a lack of competition up front, he was always going to get gametime, and on an odd occasion, he will score or create goals.
This season, however, Amakhosi have brought in several attackers. The signings of Asanele Velebayi, Khanyisa Mayo, Etiosa Ighodaro and Flavio Silva mean Duba will not find game time at Chiefs either as a striker or winger.
Lilepo, Velebayi and Pule Mmodi have occupied wing positions, which is not Duba’s preferred position. The 21-year-old has been more successful as a striker under Nabi.
With just eight appearances across all competitions, the Amakhosi youth product could seek a move elsewhere in January.
According to agent Mike Makaab, the forward was wanted by a Saudi team.
“Yes, there was interest in Wandile Duba from Saudi Arabia, but the move didn’t materialise, he’s still with Kaizer Chiefs,” Makaab told FARPost.