Injured Vilakazi is still hoping for a miracle

Sibusiso Vilakazi (below) says his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon is going well, but admits it will take a “miracle” for him to be back in action early next year.

The Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana attacker was injured playing in a training match on international duty in October, and was still in a moon boot and on crutches as he attended the launch of the Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge this week.

“The leg is coming on ok, I am progressing,” said Vilakazi.

“Slowly but surely we will get there, but I think we are ahead of schedule, hopefully soon I will find myself jogging again and lose these sticks (crutches), but so far I have been doing well.

“Time will tell (when I return), it all works in the mind, hopefully the Lord will give me a speedy recovery, he might might even give me a miracle to find myself playing again in January, February or March.”

Bafana do have a vital 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in March away to Libya, with Stuart Baxter’s side needing at least a point to qualify for Cameroon 2019. It does seem unlikely, even if he is back in training, that Vilakazi will be match fit by then, but he could well be ready in time for the finals in June, should Bafana get there.

Vilakazi is one of several top players to have played in the Discovery Walter Sisulu Challenge, taking part as a teenager back in 2006.

“I was still doing my schooling, at that time it was important for me to focus on school, I used to take my bag after writing exams and rush off to the Walter Sisulu. At that time professionals used to play, the likes of Steve Lekoelea … it was an honour and a privilege to take part and display my talent,” added Vilakazi.