Kaizer Chiefs’ academy graduate, Wandile Duba, has stated that the team’s primary objectives this season are to win the Nedbank Cup and secure a top three finish in the Betway Premiership.
Their recent 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at Moses Mabhida Stadium has moved them up to fifth in the league, boosting their chances.
While they missed out on the MTN8 by finishing outside the top eight and suffered a heavy defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout, the Nedbank Cup presents a significant opportunity to end their decade-long trophy drought. They will begin their Nedbank Cup campaign against amateur side Free Agents at FNB Stadium next Sunday.
Duba is confident that the team can achieve both goals.
“We can see that things are not going our way this season but we have our goals even though we currently not doing well,” admitted Duba.
“Our goal this season is to maintain the second or third spot in the Betway Premiership and win the Nedbank Cup.”
The 20-year-old played a key role in Chiefs’ recent improvement, scoring in their 2-1 win against Stellenbosch and earning the Man of the Match award. He dedicated his performance to his grandmother, acknowledging her influence on his career.
“As I’m here today is because of my grandmother,” Duba said.
“I’m happy when I’m able to make her happy. This is still a small thing but a lot is coming that will make her very happy.
“I’m happy that my family sees me playing for Chiefs because they made so many sacrifices. I came here to Gauteng in 2017 coming from Mpumalanga, and there’s this other day I said I give up and I’m going back home [in Mpumalanga] but my family said I must not do that.
“At home, we were not good financially, they were trying here and there to make us not sleep with empty stomachs.”