Vusumuzi Vilakazi highlights challenge not taken seriously by SA players

AmaZulu FC co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi has expressed concern over a critical aspect of the game that he believes South African players are not taking seriously.

Vilakazi’s remarks came after his troops suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday afternoon.

Bafana Bafana international Iqraam Rayners scored a late header in the 90th minute to secure the victory for Sundowns, extending AmaZulu’s recent woes in the closing stages of matches in the Betway Premiership.

This was the fourth consecutive league game where ‘Usuthu’ conceded a goal late in the match. While they managed to secure victories against rivals Richards Bay FC and Royal AM despite conceding in the latter stages, the late goals against TS Galaxy and Sundowns proved costly.

Vilakazi believes this trend highlights a broader issue within SA. “I think there is only one challenge in our South African football, which is something we still need to work on as coaches, all of us. The crucial phase of the game is something that players are not taking seriously,” he said.

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The outspoken ex-Richards Bay coach emphasised the importance of maintaining focus until the man in the middle blows the final whistle.

“Once you enter those four lines. I think you need to understand and know that it is not over until the fat lady sings,” added Vilakazi.

“We are suffering from crucial phases. Two minutes left, and we suffer. And I think, irrespective of having a good defensive structure, we have been suffering in terms of [conceding] silly goals. It is neither a lapse of concentration nor a silly goal that we allow the opposition to score.

“But some other things cannot be rectified overnight. We need to work and ensure that we become better. As I said, we still need to work on our defence, ensure we have a structure, and concentrate [for the entire duration of the game].

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