Teenager Mfundo Vilakazi celebrates after scoring the winning goal Kaizer Chiefs' Teenager Mfundo Vilakazi celebrates after scoring the winning goal during their Betway Premiership clash against Sekhukhune United at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs on X
Image: Kaizer Chiefs on X
Relebohile Mofokeng is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment, and rightly so. The kid is special, and if he reaches his potential, he could go on to become one of the greatest players this country has ever produced.
Right now he’s currently linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona, who have reportedly been keeping tabs on his development at Orlando Pirates.
In the black and white of Ezimnyama Ngenkani ezikaMagebhula, he’s churned out one eye-catching performance after another, and fans of the game are excited about seeing him grow into a top player.
But now, after Sunday’s performance in Kaizer Chiefs’ game against Sekhukhune United, South Africa should be getting giddy and overly excited about Mfundo Vilakazi. With the game entering its final moments, Vilakazi picked up the ball well outside the 18-yard area, slalomed his way past a few Sekhukhune defenders and stroked the ball past Badra Ali Sangare to give Chiefs the win late on.
Obrigado, as he is affectionately known, first came to the attention of football fans a couple of years ago when a video of the then 15-year-old went viral. Back then, he was still a very raw talent, but his tricks with the ball at his feet were enough to whet the appetite of those who saw the video.
Soweto giants thought the same, and offered him a place in their famed development system, hoping to polish the rough diamond into the brightest talent in the country.
On Sunday, Obrigado showed fans that the work he has been putting in at Naturena is finally starting to pay off, and he’s truly on his way to becoming one of the best young players in the Betway Premiership – maybe as good as Mofokeng, or perhaps, even better.
However, like Mofokeng, for Vilakazi to truly reach the top of his game, there are aspects of his game that he needs to improve, like any young player.
In South African football, we have the tendency of criticising young players for playing with their natural flair, which is a completely the wrong way of thinking. Telling players to stop doing what they know best turns them into robots who lose their instincts.
Instead, coaches should try to improve players’ tactical awareness and decision-making skills. An example of this would be how Manchester United's Alex Ferguson turned a raw Cristiano Ronaldo from a young player full of useless tricks into one of the best footballers of all time.
Nasreddine Nabi’s work with Vilakazi should be applauded. He’s shielded him when he’s had to, but his encouragement and trust in his abilities will be something the youngster appreciates. Right now, he looks like he’s on his path to becoming a top footballer. And should he reach his potential, he could even be better than Mofokeng.
IOL Sport
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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