Why Vilakazi turned down PSL head coach roles for AmaZulu’s youth
Prominent football agent Mike Makaab has revealed the reasons behind Vusumuzi Vilakazi’s decision to prioritise a youth development role at AmaZulu FC over head coaching offers in the PSL.
Vilakazi was appointed the head coach of AmaZulu’s DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side following his surprising departure from Richards Bay FC, where he had recently signed a two-year contract extension.
The promising young coach parted ways with Richards Bay after failing to agree with the club management over a new clause in his contract. In addition, the club’s new sponsor, Phakwe Group, also wanted to have an experienced coach at the wheel.
In his few months with the Natal Rich Boys, ‘Kanu’ as he’s affectionately known, helped the team to play an exciting brand of football, beating big guns such as Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and the now-defunct Moroka Swallows.
Vilakazi also helped Richards Bay to retain their top-flight status through the PSL Promotional/Relegation playoffs after brushing aside AmaTuks and Baroka FC.
The former Golden Arrows mentor has since been replaced by Brandon Truter at the KZN-based side. Truter joins Bay after a short stint with the Motsepe Foundation Championship side Upington City FC in the role of technical director [TD].
AGENT REVEALS WHAT VUSUMUZI VILAKAZI’S NEW JOB ENTAILS
With Vilakazi moving swiftly to find a new club after leaving Richards Bay, his agent, Mike Makaab, has shed light on what the new job entails.
“I can tell you that Vilakazi had a lot of interest [for his services] from various teams in different positions [in Betway Premiership],” Makaab told FARPost.
“We felt that the position to take over as the head coach of the AmaZulu DStv Diski Challenge team is more suitable for him. He is tasked with the role of helping development players transition to the senior team because there’s quite a big difference between playing for the DDC team and the first team.
The CAF B coaching license holder has vast experience coaching in the DDC. He spent five years coaching the Golden Arrows reserve team before moving up to the first team in 2020. Initially, he served as an assistant coach before taking on the role of head coach. During his time with Arrows’ reserve team, he achieved notable success, winning the Diski Challenge title.
“You must also understand that it’s important to instil a winning mentality in the players, and we know he has all the capacity to help AmaZulu in that department [DDC].
“And when the coach is happy with the project, we are also happy. ‘Kanu’ is there to ensure that AmaZulu are highly competitive and to ensure that players are ready for senior team.”
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