Ahead of the upcoming grand match in Soweto, Mfundu Vilakazi emphasized that the priority for him is the team's play, rather than showcasing flashy individual skills.
The Soweto derby is considered the biggest sporting event in South Africa and represents the highest dream for young footballers across the country. For Mfundu Vilakazi, who was born in Soweto, this dream began on the dusty streets of the country's largest settlement, where he hoped to one day join one of the two major clubs: Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates.
Fate led him to Chiefs during his teenage years—perhaps the largest club in the country. His talent in the youth teams attracted attention, and over the last two seasons, Vilakazi has been promoted to the starting lineup. Although he has not yet established himself as a permanent player, he has already experienced the excitement of playing at the FNB stadium in front of a crowd of 90,000 people. He is expected to be part of the team on Saturday when Chiefs visit Pirates in the Calabash league match—an achievement he certainly values.
Vilakazi noted: 'This means a great deal to me. As a young child who grew up in Soweto, we used to go watch the Soweto derby. Therefore, being part of the players who will play means a lot to me, and I thank God for the talent He gave me.'
Previous experience playing in front of a fully packed stand—which is usually accompanied by deafening noise from start to finish and loud jeers when players perform poorly—has prepared him for the difficult but exciting day. Vilakazi stated: 'Now I don't get nervous anymore. The derby doesn't require you to be overwhelmed by the atmosphere. It requires you to focus on the game. If you start thinking about the fans, it will work against you in your head. You will start thinking: 'Ash, I can't disappoint so many people. If I lose the ball, they will yell at me and all that.' So I just need to focus on my game and play how I am used to.'
Despite not yet being a full-time regular player, Vilakazi has shown significant improvement in his game this season, largely thanks to the mentorship of former coach Fernando da Cruz, who is helping him maximize his potential. Vilakazi shared: 'When the coach came, he told me that he knows how I play, but sometimes, if I don't need to be on the ball, I shouldn't do it. He also told myself that the team comes first. If we are not winning and not playing well, I cannot do unnecessary tricks. We need to play well and feel comfortable. But sometimes it happens naturally; I don't plan it.'
Vilakazi is among a few young Chiefs players, alongside Mduduzi Shabala and Vandile Duba, who are expected to lead the charge in the derby. This trio possesses a psychological advantage over their Pirates opponents, as they already have experience participating in derbies—turning a once distant aspiration into reality for all who dare to dream.
