Former Kaizer Chiefs star Mandla Masango has shared important advice for the club’s youngsters Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane.
Amakhosi have already started preparations for the new season as players reported back to training at the Naturena base last week.
The 2023/24 season will be Shabalala’s and Samkelo Zwane’s second in SA’s topflight. The duo helped Chiefs finish fifth in the DStv Premiership last campaign.
Mduduzi Shabalala, who is 19, featured in 22 games in all competitions. He scored two goals and provided two assists in his first season at senior level. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Zwane played 22 matches across all competitions.
With both players seemingly destined for success, Masango has urged the young duo to keep their heads down and work hard to improve their skills.
Masango, who joined the Soweto giants as a youngster in 2007, understands that it is easy for a young player to get caught up in the hype and become arrogant.
“They are good and talented youngsters who need to just focus and learn,” said Masango, who admitted that he was impressed by Shabalala and Zwane’s performances last season.
“They must know that irrespective of whether you are getting five or six man of the matches, you must remember that you are still a youngster.
“You need to remain humble and perfect your craft until they become a complete product,” he added.
OTHER SOCCER NEWS: Ex-Chiefs star Mandla Masango takes a swipe at PSL clubs
Masango won several trophies at Amakhosi, including two Premiership titles. The attacker formed part of the last Chiefs side to win a trophy in the 2014/15 season under the guidance of Stuart Baxter. They won the league and MTN8.
In addition, Masango briefly outlined the difference between the Amakhosi team that last tasted success and the current one under coach Arthur Zwane.
He said the main difference is experience. “I think if you look at the age group, there were not a lot of youngsters during that period,” added Masango.
“There were season campaigners, people who have won the trophies before where they were playing. Now there are more players that are graduating from the junior teams to the senior team.
“You can’t expect instant results, it’s a matter of the guys growing and becoming world beaters.”