WATCH: Mduduzi Shabalala ditches blonde fade after Oscar Mbo’s social media criticism

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala has revealed a new hairstyle after producer and DJ Oscar Mbo urged him to change his look. 

Earlier this month, Shabalala debuted a fade cut with the top bleached blonde, a style that has become popular among many black men looking to add a striking colour to their hair.

The conversation around his hairstyle began after Chiefs drew 1-1 with Marumo Gallants FC last Wednesday. 

Following the match, Mbo took to Instagram to voice his frustration with the team’s performance, calling out players including Reeve Frosler, Gastón Sirino and Mduduzi Shabalala.

To Shabalala, he wrote, “Mdu, please get rid of that hairstyle and remember why you were promoted. You were one of the players we had pride in from our development, but you have dropped drastically."

"Go back to your roots and remember why we supported your inclusion. Today was not your best day, and we cannot have you showing no accountability.”

By the weekend, Shabalala appeared to have taken the message to heart. During the CAF Confederation Cup game against Kabuscorp, he arrived with a different look: a simple, all-black, short trim. The change did not go unnoticed by supporters.

Fans quickly reacted on the social media platform X.

Mbali Mazibuko commented, “Shabalala took Oscar’s advice and got rid of that hair.” Nkosinathi Romeo Makhubu added, “You guys forced Mdu Shabalala into changing his hairstyle (laughing face emojis)”

Nkwali Omkhulu wrote, “It’s great to see Mdu Shabalala listened and heeded the advice about that nonsense he did on his hair.”

Another user, Mnotho, said, “So, Mdu really changed his haircut after the backlash he received in the last three days?”

Shabalala has not publicly responded to the remarks, but his decision appears to have pleased fans.