Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi’s son, Thato Mohlamme, says his target is to emulate his father and even surpass the all-time record goal scorer for Orlando Pirates.
Vilakazi, who was promoted by Pirates in the 1999/00 season, is the Bucs’ all-time goal scorer in the PSL era, having scored 52 goals, winning two league titles with the Soweto giants.
Mohlamme, who doesn’t use his father’s surname, was signed by Richards Bay FC from Uthongathi FC ahead of this coming season.
As he’s forging his own career, Mohlamme, who is stocky like his father, says his aim is to emulate his father, who used to drive Pirates forward when the chips were down and sometimes playing as a lone striker.
“I understand talk of such will happen, but he’s him and I am myself, but emulating [him] that is the target that I must aim higher than what he did,” said Mohlamme.
“Nothing is impossible, it is possible. But to be honest, I’m so happy to have joined Bay and right now I want to work hard and that is the promise.
“Being in the top flight, it is not easy but one has to adjust. The way we are training, it shows I’m in the professional environment now.”
Mohlamme, who was signed by Bay alongside Sinethemba Mngomezulu, Lucky Mohomi, Letsie Koapeng, Justice Figuareido, Thabani Dube, Nkululeko Miya, Bandile Ndlovu and Boikanyo Komane, revealed that he speaks to ‘Tso’ regularly to get more guidance and guidelines.
“I speak to him every day,” added Mohlamme.
“Everything I do I learnt from him. But he told me I shouldn’t give myself pressure and play my own football because we sat down and spoke about everything before I came to Richards Bay.
“He told me I shouldn’t be worried about what people are saying, but play my own football.”
One thing Mohlamme has done to emulate his father, he has the gold tooth.
“You know how it goes,” he said with a smile.
Mohlamme’s first test of playing in the top flight football with Bay will see the Natal Rich Boyz visit SuperSport United, new Bay coach Kaitano Tembo’s former club, at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 5 August.
