Obrigado: Those are the things I usually do

Before the Carling Black Label Cup match that pitted champions of the Carling Knockout, Stellenbosch FC, against a Carling All-Star side voted for by the fans, the media had an opportunity to speak to Mfundo Vilakazi, among other star attractions for this one-of-its-kind exhibition encounter, and the confidence he has in his ability shone through. Though he vowed to bide his time before joining the Kaizer Chiefs first team, he indicated that he was ready to step up should the opportunity present itself.

“The coach, Cavin (Johnson), called me to the first team to prepare for the (Carling) Black Label (Cup). I’m ready (for first-team action), but things won’t always go the way I plan. Everything has its own time and when the time is right, I will go to the first team. I don’t have to force matters,” he said.

“The fans must expect that (the skill). They voted for me because they wanted to see more of that, so I will make sure that I make them happy tomorrow (Saturday).”

He certainly did deliver on his promise. In addition to scoring a goal, he managed to dazzle the crowd in attendance with his skill and, in a conversation with SABC after the game, shared his thoughts on his performance.

“I’m glad that I was able to make people proud. I am used to doing it in the MDC (MultiChoice, now DStv Diski Challenge) and now I did it on a higher level. The coach (Jose Riveiro) told me not to be afraid to hold onto the ball, to do my thing and to pass the way I would in a DDC match. When I scored, I managed to get into the game and settle. I was so happy, but those are the things I usually do. It’s nothing major.”

The player also nicknamed ‘OB’ added, “When we arrived in this camp on Wednesday, we spent time with the guys in our free time where we would ask questions like what it’s like at teams like (Orlando) Pirates, and those types of things helped us to build a relationship and get accustomed to one another. As you saw, I was close with Jabulani Mokone, we would speak at night and reminded each other that people are relying on us and that we had to make them proud, and we managed to do that. My hope for 2024 is to make my senior debut.”