A Kaizer Chiefs star has addressed recent criticism over his aggression on the field of play, with some of the aggrieved parties going as far as issuing death threats on social media.
Wandile Duba is one of Chiefs' brightest prospects having graduated from the club's DStv Diski Challenge set-up.
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He registered six goals in the last season, and it could be argued the tally would be higher were it not for injuries. Only Glody Lilepo had a higher goal contribution, in fact.
However, the striker has also regularly found himself at odds with opposition supporters, coming under fire for what some believe is a tendency to be 'overly aggressive'.
Duba insists he is not too bothered by the criticism and is only following head coach Nasreddine Nabi’s instructions.
"No [it doesn’t bother me]. It's part of the job, man. You do well, they talk. You do bad, they talk. I just keep on focusing on what I do best, and I don't mind all the negative comments."
"It doesn't [affect me] because that's how the coach wants us to play," said the 21-year-old, speaking on the sidelines of a Nedbank handover of a multi-purpose centre in Springs on Wednesday.
The numbers certainly back his claims.
Chiefs have amassed a mind-boggling 18 yellow cards in just five matches since the start of the season. This is the highest amount by any team in the league so far in 2025/26.
He admits, however, that some of the harsher comments have affected his mentality.
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"It's just the comments, people coming to your account, commenting, threatening to kill you, and all that. I don't think even on the last game I was on my right state of mind. So, I didn't even go to play.
"I don’t think it frustrates me as much, but I usually talk to my brother. He always calms me down because at times I feel like talking back or sending a message back when I get a negative comment or someone swearing at me or saying whatever they say about me," says Duba.
Meanwhile, the Soweto giants return to action after the international break with a fixture against log leaders Sekhukhune United on Tuesday, 16 September.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
