Kaizer Chiefs forward Wandile Duba has received a major vote of confidence from head coach Fernando Da Cruz after his outstanding hat-trick helped Amakhosi secure a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout last 16. The 22-year-old striker delivered a memorable performance at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening, scoring three second-half goals to send Chiefs into the quarter-finals. His display also earned him a place in the club’s history books, making him the first Kaizer Chiefs player in the Premier Soccer League era to score a hat-trick in a League Cup competition. Da Cruz believes Duba has the ability to represent Bafana Bafana in the future, provided he continues to work hard and becomes more consistent. While the coach praised the young forward’s finishing and movement, he also stressed that continued development will determine whether Duba can reach the highest level of South African football.

Duba’s performance against TS Galaxy marked an important moment in his development at Kaizer Chiefs. The young attacker showed his ability to find space, react quickly in the penalty area and finish chances when they mattered most. His three goals arrived during an 18-minute spell in the second half, transforming a match that had remained goalless before the break. The result secured Chiefs’ progression in the Carling Knockout and gave their supporters another reason to be encouraged by the forward’s potential. Duba also became the first Chiefs player to score a hat-trick since Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana achieved the feat against Stellenbosch FC in October 2022. His achievement was therefore significant both for the team’s cup campaign and for his personal progress at one of South Africa’s biggest football clubs.

Despite the excitement surrounding Duba’s hat-trick, Da Cruz has made it clear that the striker still has work to do before he can fulfil his potential. Speaking after the match, the Kaizer Chiefs coach expressed his happiness with the young player’s performance but pointed to inconsistency as an area requiring attention. “I’m very happy for Duba, because he’s a young player,” Da Cruz said. He explained that the forward sometimes experiences significant ups and downs, making consistency an important part of his development. The coach’s comments reflected a balanced approach to managing a young player who has demonstrated his ability but must continue producing strong performances over time. For Duba, the challenge will be to build on his latest display and show that he can contribute regularly rather than rely on occasional moments of brilliance.

Da Cruz also praised Duba’s movement and ability to contribute in different attacking situations. The coach highlighted the forward’s willingness to drop deeper to receive the ball, make runs behind opposing defenders and position himself effectively in front of goal. These qualities can make a striker valuable because they allow him to participate in build-up play while remaining a threat in the penalty area. Duba demonstrated those strengths against TS Galaxy, particularly when he attacked the spaces created by his teammates. However, Da Cruz believes technical ability alone will not be enough to guarantee further progress. The forward must continue working hard, listen to his coaches and develop the consistency required to compete at a higher level.

The possibility of representing Bafana Bafana is an important ambition for any promising South African attacker, and Da Cruz believes Duba could eventually earn that opportunity. The coach stopped short of suggesting that national team selection is guaranteed, instead linking the possibility to the player’s continued improvement and dedication. “He’s a good player. He’s able to drop and make deep runs. He’s very good in front of goal, but he must continue to work hard and listen to the coach,” Da Cruz explained. He added that sustained effort could help the forward become a Bafana Bafana player in the future. The message places responsibility on Duba to turn his natural ability into reliable performances at club level. Regular contributions for Kaizer Chiefs would strengthen his case for consideration by the national team coaches, although selection would ultimately depend on his form and the needs of the squad.

Duba opened the scoring three minutes after half-time with a well-taken finish following an attacking move down the right flank. Mduduzi Shabalala and Pule Mmodi combined effectively to create the opportunity, with Mmodi delivering a low cross into the danger area. Duba reacted well to the delivery and converted the chance, giving Chiefs the lead after a first half in which neither team had found the net. The goal demonstrated his ability to anticipate opportunities and position himself to finish moves created by his teammates. It also gave Amakhosi greater control of the contest as they looked to secure their place in the next round. The breakthrough set the stage for Duba to deliver an even more memorable performance during the closing stages of the match.

His second goal arrived in the 62nd minute following a penalty incident involving Shabalala and TS Galaxy defender Veluyeke Zulu. After Zulu brought down Shabalala inside the penalty area, Chiefs were awarded a spot-kick, giving them an opportunity to extend their advantage. Mfundo Vilakazi took the penalty, but Galaxy goalkeeper Melusi Mathebula saved the attempt. The ball then rebounded off the post and returned into play, allowing Duba to react faster than the defenders and score from close range. His quick response highlighted an important quality for a striker, namely the ability to remain alert when a chance develops unexpectedly. The goal doubled Chiefs’ lead and brought Duba closer to completing a hat-trick that would make the evening especially memorable.

Duba completed his treble just four minutes later, scoring his third goal after Shabalala delivered a precise through-ball into space behind the TS Galaxy defence. The forward timed his run well, moved into the opening and finished past the goalkeeper to seal the 3-0 victory. The goal capped an impressive spell in which his finishing proved decisive for Chiefs. His ability to score in different ways also showed why Da Cruz values his movement and instincts in front of goal. The first strike came from a low cross, the second from a rebound and the third from a through-ball, demonstrating his effectiveness in several attacking situations. By the final whistle, Duba had turned a goalless first half into a personal milestone and helped his team advance in the Carling Knockout.

The hat-trick also strengthened Duba’s early-season record for the 2026/27 campaign. According to the figures provided, he has scored six goals in seven domestic appearances across all competitions, giving him a promising return at the start of the season. Maintaining that level of productivity will be important as Chiefs pursue their objectives in domestic competitions. For a young forward, regular playing time and confidence can help support development, but consistency across different matches remains the key measure of progress. Opponents will also study his movement and finishing more closely after a performance of this quality, potentially forcing him to find new ways to create opportunities. Duba will need to keep improving his decision-making, work rate and contribution to the team’s overall attacking play if he wants to establish himself as a dependable first-choice option.

Duba’s journey at Kaizer Chiefs began in the club’s youth structures, which he joined in 2019 after coming through the Lenasia Football Academy. He made his senior debut on 31 December 2022 against Golden Arrows, marking the next stage of his development from youth football to the professional game. Progressing through a club’s development system can provide a young player with familiarity with its expectations and playing environment. However, establishing a lasting place in a first team requires more than potential, particularly at a club where supporters expect strong performances and positive results. Duba’s latest display gives him an opportunity to build further momentum and demonstrate that he can meet those expectations over an extended period. His challenge now is to turn an important personal achievement into sustained progress throughout the season.

For Kaizer Chiefs, Duba’s performance offers encouragement as the team continues its Carling Knockout campaign. His goals helped the club reach the quarter-finals while demonstrating the value of attacking movement, quick reactions and clinical finishing. The contribution of teammates such as Shabalala and Mmodi also showed how effective combination play can create opportunities for a striker to exploit. Da Cruz will want to see those attacking qualities maintained while ensuring that Duba continues to improve the other aspects of his game. The coach’s emphasis on consistency suggests that the forward will be judged not only on spectacular performances but also on how regularly he helps the team across the season. That approach could prove important in helping him develop into a more complete attacker.

Wandile Duba’s hat-trick against TS Galaxy has placed him firmly in the spotlight and strengthened the belief that he could become an important player for Kaizer Chiefs. Fernando Da Cruz has recognised the forward’s finishing ability, movement and potential to reach the Bafana Bafana level, while making it clear that hard work and consistency must remain his priorities. The historic 3-0 victory gave Chiefs a place in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals and provided Duba with a significant personal milestone. His early-season scoring record offers further encouragement, but the next stage of his development will depend on how he responds to the expectations created by this performance. If he continues improving, takes advice from his coaches and delivers consistently for Amakhosi, he could strengthen his prospects of earning national team recognition in the future. For now, his immediate task is to build on his memorable hat-trick and prove that he can maintain this level throughout the season.