Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi has called on Kaizer Chiefs supporters to show more patience and encouragement towards young players Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi, warning that excessive pressure from the stands could negatively affect their development.

Maswanganyi shared his views after watching Chiefs' recent encounter against Siwelele, where Shabalala experienced a difficult moment after missing a penalty. The midfielder attracted criticism from sections of the Amakhosi supporters, with some fans reportedly signalling that he should be substituted following the missed opportunity.

However, Shabalala demonstrated resilience by remaining involved in the game and later winning another penalty, giving Chiefs an opportunity to get back into the contest.

Reflecting on the incident, Maswanganyi questioned what might have happened if the technical team had reacted to the supporters' demands and substituted Shabalala immediately after his penalty miss.

He suggested that removing the midfielder at that moment could have prevented Chiefs from benefiting from his contribution later in the match.

Maswanganyi believes young footballers need encouragement, particularly when they are experiencing difficult periods on the pitch. He argued that mistakes are part of football and should not automatically result in supporters turning against developing players.

He also highlighted the importance of protecting talented youngsters because they could become important figures for South African football and the national team, Bafana Bafana, in the coming years.

His comments also brought attention to the criticism directed at Mfundo Vilakazi, another promising Chiefs youngster who has faced scrutiny from supporters.

According to Maswanganyi, supporters should understand that young players require time, confidence and consistent opportunities to reach their full potential.

His message is that instead of rushing to criticise or demand substitutions whenever mistakes happen, Chiefs supporters should create an environment where emerging talents can learn, improve and contribute to the club's future success.

Source : https://x.com/ChiefsCentralZA/status/2120894613078630686/photo/1?s=19