Kaizer Chiefs youngster Mduduzi Shabalala is determined to fight for his place in the first team after he was chosen to participate in the DStv Compact Cup over the weekend.

The rising star recently made headlines after he scored a hat-trick which he dedicated to his sister Thembi, who had passed away just two weeks ago during their thrilling 5-4 defeat by Royal AM in the DStv Diski Challenge.

Shabalala will now be looking to continue his current form when Chiefs take on Marumo Gallants in their next DStv Diski Challenge at the FNB Stadium on Sunday morning.

The Amakhosi starlet, who is scheduled to jet off to Spain to train with Barcelona and Real Madrid, says he feels honoured to have been selected to participate in the DStv Compact Cup and is relishing the chance to showcase his talent.

“I was happy to be named man of the match and I am also pleased to be selected for the DStv Compact Cup, which means that I simply have to up my game,” Shabalala told his club’s official website.

“This performance is definitely a boost to my confidence before the DStv Compact Cup.

“Getting voted in shows that I am playing good football and that people love seeing me play. I will keep on fighting and doing the right things.”

Shabalala was handed the opportunity to begin training with the first team and came on as a second-half substitute in their 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership following the Covid-19 outbreak in the Chiefs camp.

“I could not express how happy I was to have been part of the first team. The chance will come, I will get the opportunity to play for the first team. My friends and family were very excited seeing my name on the team sheet,” he said.