Vilakazi settling in well at Sundowns
SIBUSISO Vilakazi is in his element – by his own admission‚ simply “loving it” – finding his feet at Mamelodi Sundowns after his transfer there from Bidvest Wits in the off-season.
Vilakazi‚ the highest-profile signing of the PSL’s off-season‚ believes the wealth of player quality that he is surrounded by at Sundowns takes the pressure off him having to find form or adjust quickly to his new surroundings.
Asked to compare the two surroundings as Downs prepare to meet his old team‚ Wits‚ in tomorrow’s MTN8 final at Mbombela Stadium‚ “Vila” gave the impression of not feeling rushed to justify his reportedly R10-millionplus transfer to the Brazilians.
“Look‚ I think for me‚ it’s baby steps. Time is important for me to fit in very well‚” the Bafana Bafana playmaker said.
“Because‚ I mean‚ there’s no pressure at all – because we have so many individuals who have the quality.
“So the pressure is divided amongst ourselves. If I don’t score Anthony [Laffor] will. If he doesn’t score‚ Khama [Billiat] will. If Keagan [Dolly] doesn’t score Hlompo [Kekana] will. “Even the defenders can score. So the pressure is divided amongst ourselves‚ which is good. You want to win in that set-up. “And for me it’s just baby steps. In time I will be able to see where I’m going.” Vilakazi – not registered for the Caf Champions League‚ where Sundowns have dramatically reached the final against Zamalek despite a punishing schedule – has slowly been blooded into Downs’ first team. Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is clearly a fan. With an eye on rotation‚ Mosimane has ensured his headline signing has made three starts in the MTN8‚ including in the home and away semifinals against Chippa United. Playing in Downs’ one league game of the season so far‚ away against Maritzburg United‚ where Mosimane fielded a second-string side in a credible 0-0 draw‚ Vilakazi produced a piece of skill and shot at goal that had his coach on his feet beaming in delight. Vilakazi might still be finding his feet‚ but certainly a love affair between coach and player does seem in the offing as the relationship continues.
Vilakazi already admits he’s in love with Downs’ base at Chloorkop. Asked about that‚ he did not hesitate to reply‚ saying: “So much.”
He continued: “So much. The energy is so good. And the players here‚ it’s quality. You know the coach is terrific.
“The mindset‚ the coaching – you’re always looking forward to training sessions‚ always looking forward to what they’re giving you.
“So it’s been great so far. I’m enjoying each and every moment.”
The playmaker had an apparently complicated relationship with Wits coach Gavin Hunt.
Vilakazi was pushed and nurtured to winning the PSL’s player of the season award in 2013-14 under Hunt‚ though increasingly found himself marginalised for a player of his talent in his past two seasons at Wits.
Comparing Hunt and Mosimane‚ Vilakazi said: “Two different coaches. But at the end of the day both want to win.
“How they want to win it – I would say they have different strategies to win games.”
Those contrasting styles‚ and Vil first meeting with his old team‚ will add to the narrative of a potentially explosive final tomorrow. — TMG Sport