Shabalala reveals mental toll of Kaizer Chiefs fans’ criticism – ‘I would just cry’

Kaizer Chiefs youngster Mududuzi Shabalala has opened up about the impact of fans’ criticism on his mental health.

Shabalala has come through the ranks at Chiefs and became a senior team member under former coach Arthur Zwane in 2022.

However, he has had to endure a tough time at Naturena as the struggles of his team got to him with the ever-demanding Chiefs supporters turning on him on some occasions when he did not have a good game.

In a promotional teaser for SuperSport’s GIANTS, the 22-year-old reveals that the situation had its toll on him as he ended up crying after every game.

Shabalala opens up on his struggles

“Every time I came back home, I would just cry,” Shabalala shared. “After a game, I cried. My mother and family wouldn’t understand because they don’t know what I am feeling. No one would ever understand.”

His father also weighed in on the situation, saying the criticism did not just affect his son but also got under his skin.

“He had a lot of pressure because there were people who were criticising his game. People who didn’t believe in him and this also hurt me as a father,” Shabalala’s father revealed.

For the midfielder’s mother, it has been about making sure their son is in the right state of mind.

Wow It's Tough Being A Chiefs Player

Mdu Was Actually Crying After Making A Mistake Which Led To Orlando Pirates Winning The Derby April 2025 🫢#GiantsSeason2 pic.twitter.com/VUXZVcD4QS

— INEOS Fokof 🏴‍☠️🇾🇪 TREBLE TROUBLE 🏆🏆🏆 (@TmCiteilife) September 27, 2026

Family and Chiefs teammates also affected

“We don’t really discuss football at home but we focus more on his wellbeing,” she said.

So bad was the situation that Shabalala’s teammate Wandile Duba got hurt as well.

“It was very painful, I wouldn’t wish it on any player, especially for us young players because, it f**s up your memory and brain so badly,” Duba, who has also come through the ranks at Chiefs, stated.

Shabalala has so far made 118 appearances for Chiefs, scoring 14 goals and adding nine assists. This season, the playmaker has played five games, starting two and he has a goal and assist so far.