Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz appears to have identified three players he believes can play an important role in the club’s future: Wandile Duba, Mduduzi Shabalala and Langelihle Phili.
The French coach has already shown a willingness to trust young talent since taking charge of Amakhosi. Duba, in particular, made an immediate impact under Da Cruz, scoring twice after coming off the bench in Chiefs’ 3–1 victory over Kruger United in the opening Betway Premiership match of the 2026/27 season. (Kaizer Chiefs)
Duba is regarded as one of the exciting attacking prospects at Naturena, and Da Cruz has previously described him as an “interesting player”, highlighting his versatility and potential to contribute in different attacking roles. (Soccer Laduma)
Another player high on the coach’s list is Mduduzi Shabalala. The talented attacking midfielder has been part of the Chiefs first team for several seasons and remains one of the club’s highly regarded young players. His ability to operate between the lines, create chances and attack defenders makes him an important option for Da Cruz.
Then there is Langelihle Phili, another exciting young attacking player who has attracted attention with his performances. Phili finished the previous league campaign with seven goals, demonstrating his ability to make a contribution in the final third. (Wikipedia)
Da Cruz has also challenged Phili to continue scoring and improve his defensive contribution, suggesting that the coach sees plenty of room for development in his game. (Facebook)
The three players represent an exciting blend of youth, pace, creativity and attacking potential. With Da Cruz looking to build his own identity at Kaizer Chiefs, supporters will be watching closely to see how much responsibility he gives these youngsters.
If the coach can unlock their full potential, Duba, Shabalala and Phili could become key figures in the next generation of Amakhosi stars.
For Chiefs, the message is clear: the future may already be inside Naturena.
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