Kaizer Chiefs youngster Mfundo Vilakazi has spoken out on how he handles being praised while he continues to work on solidifying his position at the senior level.
The 18-year-old winger was promoted to the Chiefs senior team last season after impressing in the junior ranks.
He made his debut in February, coming on from the bench in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 against Milford FC where Amakhosi lost on penalties.
Vilakazi has rapidly gained popularity thanks to his kasi flava skills and technical prowess. Despite the praise he's received, he says he maintains a humble attitude, recognising that he still has much to achieve.
VILAKAZI ON HOW HE HANDLES PRAISE
“When people start calling me a star, I don't internalize it because if you do, you tend to become big-headed and you start thinking thay you've made it. So, it's important for me to not internalize that in my mind,” said Vilakazi during the GQ South Africa cover shoot on SuperSport.
However, it has not been all juicy for Vilakazi who was criticised so much for showboating while the team was losing against Young Africans in the Toyota Cup earlier this month.
First to question Vilakazi’s doings was Young Africans star Stephane Aziz Ki who described what Chiefs starlet did as “nonsense”.
CRITICISM ON VILAKAZI’S SHOWBOATING
“I respect my job; football is my job. I love football. I like to learn,” Aziz told FARPost. “The football I see at a high level, you will never see Ronaldo or the top players do that. This is a waste of time.”
“When you’re losing, and you come and do this, it’s nonsense,” he said. “I was feeling sad when I see even the young players doing this. It’s not something nice.”
“For me, football is always in front, control, pass, not to jump with the ball. You lose time, and you kill time because, in football, every single second is important. So when you take the ball and stop the ball and do that, you give five seconds to the opponent and everyone will come back. So you will not get the option. You didn’t create nothing.”
“After the game when you finish to do these dances with the ball, if I ask you who won the game, what will you tell me? You danced with the ball? I can’t appreciate this kind of football.”
