Mfundo Vilakazi has high hopes for himself and Kaizer Chiefs for the new season, especially after getting the backing of new coach Nasreddine Nabi.
As Vilakazi gets set to start his first full season with Chiefs, expectations are high for him to build on last season’s debut performances under Cavin Johnson.
While he may have been introduced at a tough time for Chiefs, Vilakazi showed flashes of brilliance, and his ‘showboating’ acts divided fans and experts.
Some felt that it was unnecessary from the teenager as it delayed play when going forward, saying it was not constructive, while others argued that it’s part of SA football heritage.
Vilakazi has since had time to work and train under new coach Nabi during the pre-season tour of Türkiye.
The 18-year-old started in the Toyota Cup against Young Africans in Bloemfontein, where his performance was scrutinised, again leading to differing opinions.
But speaking after a training session with the SA Under-20 side yesterday, where the team prepared for two friendlies in Lesotho, Vilakazi opened up on what Nabi expects of him.
“The coach told me that he doesn’t have a problem with my skills, but I also need to do them going forward,” he told the media at the Safa technical centre.
“The coach also urged me to start dribbling when we are winning the game (comfortably), and not just when we are leading.
“I just need to work hard this season so that I can start matches. I think that will boost my confidence and help me improve where I need to.”
Vilakazi already knows where Nabi expects him to improve, having chatted with the coach during their time in Europe and after.
“The coach told me that I have the technique of taking on players, assisting and scoring goals,” Vilakazi explained.
“He wants me to keep shooting and having attempts, as I have the technique for that, until I get things right.”
Nabi is right. Scoring goals or creating chances have been the missing aspects of Vilakazi’s game since his promotion to the top flight.
Vilakazi’s showboating also led to Young African talisman Stephen Aziz Ki lambasting him for the many unnecessary touches on the ball, calling it “nonsense”.
Vilakazi, though, doesn’t get consumed by negative criticism on social media, even though he believes that criticism comes with a silver lining.
“I am not a person that reads the comments on social media. So, I don’t think that has deterred me,” Vilakazi said.
“I don’t care about the comments – if the coach and the team are happy. The league will start, and I will score, and the same people who were criticising me will hype me up.
“They’ll probably say I deserve to play overseas, and they’d have forgotten that we played against Young Africans, and I dribbled, and they criticised me.
“I take criticism as motivation for me to work hard, and when I get praised, I use that as motivation to do more and better.”
Vilakazi is not the only youngster who’s expected to perform for Chiefs this season, with Mduduzi Shabalala, 20, Samkelo Zwane, 22, and Nkosana Mbuthu, 17, tipped to contribute as well.
“The coach wants us youngsters to always give our best – we shouldn’t take our age into mind. We need to fight and work for the team,” Vilakazi said.
Vilakazi is eager to hit two birds with one stone this season, to help Chiefs and the SA Under-20 side return to the glory days.
Amajita have missed out on the last two Youth Africa Cup of Nations and World Cups respectively. And that’s why they want to return to both competitions next year.
“Yes, we want to achieve that,” Vilakazi admitted, “but we need to work as a collective, and work for the betterment of the country.”