Wandile Duba oozes confidence, so much so that he feels he will always come out on top – even when the odds are stacked against him.
Kaizer Chiefs are enduring a season of uncertainty as they are blowing hot and cold in a term when they were expected to return to their best.
However, amid the dark and gloomy days, Duba has been one of the knights in shining armour in the team – alongside fellow youngsters such as Mduduzi Shabalala.
The 20-year-old striker has scored four goals, and registered two assists in 15 games across all competitions – an improved return, compared to last season’s lone goal.
But while he might be one of the few fan favourites at Amakhosi this season, Duba went down memory lane to remember an individual who has backed him from one day.
Kaizer Chiefs' assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef reitarates that this season is about rebuilding for the club especially given the changes in coaching and playing personnel. @IOL @IOLsport @TheStar_news pic.twitter.com/MUBHwVgJvh
— Minto (@Mihlalibaleka) January 16, 2025
“For me to be where I am today is because of that person,” said Duba of the unwavering support from grandmother Nomusa Thabethe. “She fought so hard for me to be where I am today.
“I am just happy to give her flowers while she can still smell them. This is a minor recognition; a lot is still coming. I am just happy that people from back home can see me play on TV.”
Duba initially gave his grandmother her flowers after scoring a brace in the 2-1 win over Stellenbosch recently as he dedicated his Player of the Match award to her.
And it was yesterday – when he spoke at the club’s Naturena village ahead of the clash at home to Sekhukhune United on Sunday (3.30pm kick-off) – that Duba duly opened up about how his grandmother ensured he became a professional footballer.
“She made a lot of sacrifices for me to get here, coming from Mpumalanga,” Duba added. “I left Mpumalanga in 2017, and I stayed in an academy (DSM Sports Academy).
“There was this other time, I told her I was giving up, and I want to return home. She fought with me, saying I shouldn’t do that. I must continue here in Gauteng and fight.
“Financially at home, we were not the best. She tried here and there for us to survive, especially here in Gauteng.”
Kudos to his grandmother’s support, Duba has been one of the emerging talents at Chiefs, having been nurtured in the club’s youth structures as well.
His level of confidence started in the reserves, and came to the fore after he scored in his first full appearance last season, where he sent a strong message to their next opponents, Orlando Pirates.
The then-19-year-old warned their arch-rivals “they must expect him because he’s coming”.
He, however, failed to pitch on the day, owing to not only his shortcomings, but the team’s as well.
This season, Duba has duly arrived and is setting the Premiership alight – so much so that he’s not overwhelmed by being the team’s go-to-man for goals despite his tender age.
“I think if you have the heart of a lion, nothing will defeat you,” Duba explained. “I came to Kaizer Chiefs knowing the magnitude of the team.
“With the confidence that I have, I don’t see that being a problem – I am willing to lead the team. I got confidence from the DDC (DStv Diski Challenge).”
Duba has quickly had to grow up and become a man, and he’s not bothered by where coach Nasreddine Nabi deploys him – either up front or wide – as long as he gets to contribute to the team.
“I think everyone knows from the DDC, I play as a number nine,” Duba said. “If I play as the number nine, I give the team what it wants.
“I told the coach which position I prefer, but he plans differently for every game. He’s the one that plans, and I can’t dispute that. My role is just to play.
“Even if he asks me to come and play at centre-back, I will go to the pitch and play. After all, it’s my job to play for the team.” | Independent Media Sport