BREAKING NEWS: I’m determined to help S’Africa qualify – Shabalala

 Super Eagles Players

 As the crunch clash between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series draws closer, Kaizer Chiefs forward Mduduzi Shabalala has expressed his determination to help South Africa secure a spot at the Mundial, by earning a positive result against Nigeria, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 21-year-old, who plays as a midfielder for the Amakhosi outfit in the Premier Soccer League, is relishing being a part of the national team set-up. However, he sounded upbeat in playing his part to help South Africa reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010, the edition in which they hosted.

He told local media outlet, Sowetan Live, “This is a big opportunity for me in my career. It’s everyone’s dream to play for their country, so I am here to help the team win the games to qualify for the World Cup.”

The Super Eagles are under immense pressure to win their next two fixtures, after registering only one victory in their last six outings. This leaves the three-time African champions with a huge mountain to climb as they trail South Africa by six points in the race to pick up the group’s sole automatic qualification spot.

Rwanda are second on the standings with eight points, same as Benin Republic, who also have the exact number of points, then followed by Lesotho with six points, while Zimbabwe are bottom of the log with four points.

There could be a glimmer of hope though, as the Bafana Bafana could be docked points for fielding an ineligible player during the qualifying stages against Lesotho in March.

Victories over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday and against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein next week, will revive manager Eric Chelle’s faint hopes of reaching a seventh FIFA World Cup tournament.