Despite being one of the most decorated footballers in SA, Sibusiso Vilakazi says he has unfinished business in the topflight and is eager to prove a point.
Vilakazi has had a glittering career in the PSL after lifting five league titles. His trophy haul also includes the 2016 CAF Champions League, two Nedbank Cups, the MTN8 trophy and Telkom Knockout.
Add to that, he boasts several individual accolades, top of them the 2013/14 PSL Footballer of the Season Award. That same season, he was Player’s Player of the Season and Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament award.
With such a colourful resume, one wonders why Vilakazi feels the need to validate his talent and skill. Vila has made over 340 appearances across all competitions, with 65 goals and 36 assists to his name.
Capped 32 times for Bafana Bafana, with five goals, he has stated that some people had written him off. This was after the last couple of months of his spell at Mamelodi Sundowns.
His six-year stay at Chloorkop was plagued by injuries – from torn ligaments to Achilles tendon ruptures.
WHY SIBUSISO VILAKAZI IS EAGER TO PROVE A POINT
“People had written me off. I wouldn’t say who, but people had written me off,” said Vilakazi.
“I told myself that I’m going to the gym. I’ll show those people that as much as you think I’m wasted and as much as you think I’m out, we’ll see. For me, it had to be that drive from within; I can show you.”
The injury-prone player, who had a brief stint at TS Galaxy, is a man on a mission at Sekhukhune United.
On a comeback trail, Vilakazi showed his class when he netted the winner when Sekhukhune beat Maritzburg United 1-0 in a league game on Saturday, 8 April. That was his first goal of the season.
The 33-year-old midfielder has featured in 14 matches in all competitions this season. He has been injury free and in good shape, physically and mentally.
“As you know, injuries haven’t been kind to me; that’s part of the game and that you can’t control,” added the former Bidvest Wits captain.
“But then what you can control is how you come back from the injury, how you feel energised about it, want to prove a point for yourself more than anything.”
In addition, Vilakazi, who is seemingly over the trauma of his past injuries, maintained that he still has the hunger to succeed and win more trophies.
“The drive hasn’t ended, and the ambition to further my career, play more,” he declared.
“I still want to better certain numbers for myself. You never get enough, to be honest, regardless of finding myself at Sundowns, TS Galaxy and now Sekhukhune, so there is always that drive for me.”
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