Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson has given his verdict on how teenage sensation Mfundo Vilakazi performed in his first senior team appearance for the club.
Cheers erupted, and fans rose to their feet as Vilakazi entered the game in the 63rd minute, replacing Mduduzi Shabalala, but the joy was short-lived.
The Soweto giants succumbed to a shock 5-4 defeat on penalties to second-tier side Milford FC in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 under the floodlights at FNB Stadium on Sunday. The clash finished goalless after 120 minutes.
The 18-year-old Vilakazi provided glimpses of his talent for Chiefs, having been promoted to the first team in January. He nearly snatched a dramatic victory for Amakhosi in extra-time with a long-range effort that deflected for a corner.
Despite the bitter pill of defeat, extending Chiefs’ trophy drought to nine years, Johnson found solace in Vilakazi’s debut performance in the famous Gold and Black colours.
Johnson hinted at the teenager’s even greater potential, suggesting that Vilakazi could have thrived even more if Chiefs had scored a goal and established a stronger position.
Johnson Praises Vilakazi’s Debut Showing
Vilakazi’s first game for the Soweto giants comes after showcasing his talent in both the DStv Diski Challenge and the Carling Black Label All-Stars match against Stellenbosch FC last month.
The Soweto-born prodigy was included in Chiefs’ matchday squad for the first time last Saturday but remained on the bench during the club’s goalless draw against Royal AM in the DStv Premiership.
“There were so many moments that we had to score the goal, just the wrong technique at the wrong time,” said Johnson. “We hit the crossbar, the upright, you can’t do anything as far as that is concerned, and Mfundo came on and did quite well.
“For a young player who came on, and I put him on a really pressure game, I think he did well. I don’t think he lost the ball [throughout the game]. He’s got a bright future with Kaizer Chiefs.
“Unfortunately, tonight [Sunday], he was not able to show his real qualities, which I think would have come if we had scored the goal; then you would have seen how good he is at moving the ball. But he did well for me.”
Vilakazi added his name to a growing list of Amakhosi academy graduates who have made their senior team debuts in the past 18 months, following in the footsteps of Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, and Samkelo Zwane.
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