Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi has appealed to Kaizer Chiefs supporters to show greater patience and encouragement towards young players Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala following criticism of their performances.

Maswanganyi believes that young footballers need time to develop and should not be subjected to excessive pressure whenever they make mistakes on the pitch. He has warned that negative reactions from supporters could affect their confidence and slow down their progress.

His comments come after Shabalala attracted attention during Kaizer Chiefs' recent Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final encounter against Siwelele FC, where the midfielder missed a penalty before playing an important role in the team's comeback.

The incident saw some supporters signalling for Shabalala to be substituted following his unsuccessful spot-kick. However, the youngster remained on the field and subsequently won another penalty, which helped Chiefs get back into the contest.

For Maswanganyi, that moment demonstrated exactly why supporters should avoid making quick judgments about young players.

Speaking about the incident, the Bafana Bafana international explained that removing Shabalala immediately after his missed penalty could have changed the outcome of the match.

“I watched Chiefs' game and saw Mdu miss a penalty, and the fans started signalling for him to be substituted. Minutes later, he won another penalty, and the team got back into the game.

“Imagine if they had taken him off right after the miss. They probably wouldn't have scored, and they might have lost the game,” Maswanganyi said.

He further emphasised that Vilakazi and Shabalala are still developing as professional footballers and deserve an environment where they can learn from their mistakes without constantly fearing criticism.

The former Pirates star also highlighted the importance of protecting young South African talent, particularly because these players could become important figures in the national team in the coming years.

According to Maswanganyi, supporters should understand that young footballers will occasionally have difficult performances. Instead of immediately turning against them, fans should provide encouragement that allows them to regain confidence and improve.

He believes that the country's football community has an important responsibility to nurture promising players rather than discourage them during challenging moments.

Maswanganyi also pointed towards the future of Bafana Bafana, arguing that players such as Vilakazi and Shabalala could eventually contribute significantly to South Africa's ambitions at major international tournaments.

His message is therefore not only directed at the Amakhosi faithful but also at football supporters across the country.

As Kaizer Chiefs continue developing their young talents, Maswanganyi believes that patience, encouragement and appreciation could make a significant difference in determining how far these players go in their careers.

Source

https://x.com/ChiefsCentralZA/status/2120894613078630686?a=weZ0MV_8HYYRYVAMUKE&s=19