Vela Khumalo says Mfundo Vilakazi’s mental toughness is what sets him apart from the rest, and that’s why he’s bound to succeed at Kaizer Chiefs.
On Saturday, Vilakazi added another feather in his Amakhosi cap as he came off the bench to score his first goal for the senior team.
That goal didn’t only give Chiefs their first win of the season in their Betway Premiership opener over Marumo Gallants, but it perfectly ushered in the new era.
New Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Nasreddine Nabi also spoke glowingly of the 18-year-old after the 2-1 victory over Marumo Gallants at a sold-out Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Nabi, though, said he’ll do his best to protect “my son” by integrating him gradually into the team, instead of throwing him into the deep end too soon.
Vilakazi had made his professional debut in February under interim coach Cavin Johnson, before featuring in a few more matches in the league.
He already had the Chiefs faithful eating out of the palm of his hand, thanks to his exploits in the reserve team under Khumalo.
His former coach, speaking exclusively to Independent Newspapers yesterday, weighed in on what makes Vilakazi special and a cut above the rest.
“I think the most important thing, more than anything, is his mental toughness. Looking at the background that he’s coming from, he knows what he wants to achieve in life.”
“Most definitely. He’s very special. But that has been accompanied by dedication, determination and working hard,” Khumalo said.
“He’s been focused and knowing the background that he’s coming from has helped him to push his talent, which has been accompanied by hard work and what he wanted in life.”
Vilakazi hasn’t always had it easy, though. At the tender age of 15, he had to endure the pain of being club-less after the sale of Bidvest Wits in 2020.
But he wouldn’t let his star be dimmed during stints at amateur teams such Charmer Boys, Zola Seven Stars and Doornkop Students.
So much so that when Chiefs assessed him for trials for the first time in 2020, they continued to monitor his progress until they signed him after another impressive display in the Philly’s Games.
Vilakazi hasn’t forgotten where he comes from, acknowledging that it has shaped him into the player that he is today – keeping the supporters on the edge of their seats.
“I think the most important thing, more than anything, is his mental toughness. Looking at the background that he’s coming from, he knows what he wants to achieve in life,” Khumalo added.
Life has not been all has been rosy and cosy, though. While still playing amateur football in the junior ranks, he was criticised for time wasting due to showboating.
Chiefs’ former coach and current academy head Arthur Zwane was the first person to speak against Vilakazi’s tricks in a video that went viral in 2022, saying he needed to be constructive.
Khumalo says they also warned Vilakazi of holding onto the ball unnecessarily – though they didn’t stop him from expressing himself.
“He had to regulate that – and give it meaning. We said do it, but do it in certain areas and particularly where it doesn’t even bother us because we know we are winning,” he said.
“Football is also about enjoyment – not about being tense. We had to instil those moments where he can have freedom to do that.”
According to Vilakazi, Nabi has also shared the same sentiments with Khumalo, something that shows the faith the Tunisia-born tactician has in him.
Vilakazi must return that faith by delivering on the pitch – just like he did in Bloemfontein and last month during the SA Under-20 friendlies against Lesotho where he scored back-to-back. But given his qualities and demeanour, Khumalo has no doubt that Vilakazi will succeed in the top flight and command a starting berth at Amakhosi under Nabi.
“It’s just a matter of time. Like I said, he’s a talented player and very smart. It’ll just be a gradual thing, but he’s very talented,” Khumalo explained.
“He’s a level-headed boy. He knows what he wants. Nothing will be difficult for him if he keeps his head down. He mustn’t change.”