Kaizer Chiefs teenage sensation Mfundo Vilakazi has revealed what new head coach Nasredddine Nabi has told him and the rest of the youngsters in the team as they continue their preparations for the new PSL season.

According to Vilakazi, Nabi will not go easy on him and other upcoming players who are looking to break into the first team, such as Samkelo Zwane, Wandile Duba, Nkosinathi Mbuthu, and Mduduzi. Shabalala just because they are young.

“The coach has said we must not think that because we are young players, we are not required to work hard,” Vilakazi told the media during his time at the South African U20 camp. The talented and skilful player went on to explain that Nabi wants all the youngsters to earn their place in the team to ensure positive results when they enter the fray. “He wants us to fight and make sure the team does well whenever we are playing,” said Vilakazi.

The teenager is one of the players that impressed the Chiefs mentor in their pre-season training. camp in Turkey and is determined to stake his claim on the team and become an important figure in the squad.

“I think I need to work hard to be selected for the starting lineup because if I start matches, it will help. me to improve my confidence and my game,” he said.
“The coach has told me that I can take opponents or provide assistance for my teammates, and I have the technique when it comes to taking shots at the goal.
“He wants me to take more shots at goal whenever I get to the right spaces. He encouraged me to Keep trying until I get it right,” the youngster added.

The attacking midfielder has come under heavy criticism for his showboating, notably against Tanzanian giants Young Africans in the Toyota Cup during pre-season, where the Glamour Boys were thrashed 4-0.

“Usually, I don’t read comments on social media, so I don’t think [the comments] have hurt me that much because I don’t care what people say. As long as the coach and the team are happy,” Vilakazi said.

“Because the league will start soon, and if I score, the same people that were criticising me will celebrate, and they will be saying that I need to go and play overseas for all those kinds of things.”

“They would have forgotten that against young Africans I dribbled, and they criticised me. So, I take criticism as words of encouragement that I need to work hard. If they praise me, it means I need to do more of that,” he stated.