Itumeleng Khune has sent a message of encouragement to Kaizer Chiefs youngster Mfundo Vilakazi, his team in the Carling All Stars, after his goal-scoring performance in the Carling Cup win over Stellenbosch.
While Khune is in the sunset of his career, the veteran goalkeeper can relate to Vilkazi’s situation as he too was a teenager when he first broke onto the scenes two decades ago.
Khune said that Vilakazi just needs to remain focussed, and make the most of the opportunities that he has, many of which Khune did not have during his days.
“I also had a dream when I was a youngster, when I was still seventeen before I got promoted,” Khune told the media after the game.
“The same opportunities that the current DDC players are getting were not there during our days. But I had an opportunity as a reserve team player once a month to play against the first team, and that’s how I managed to impress the coaches, and I was also representing national U20 and U23.
“So I think I managed to play and impress, because Brian Baloyi was leaving at the time. So Mfundo has to work hard. He mustn’t lose hope, his time will come. He just has to be patient with himself.
“Stop reading whatever people are saying, just keep on working hard on the field. And when the time is right, the opportunity will come his way.
“And I think it goes to a lot of other youngsters not only Mfundo but the players that he’s playing with. He was playing with Mduduzi Shabalala, look what happened, he got promoted.
“And it’s opening doors for everyone that is playing in the DDC. And their games are live on television, they are being watched week in week out, and they are playing under a huge crowd when they play in the DDC.
“So it gives them a great opportunity to get recognised by the first team coaches and even to represent the national team, U20, U23, even Bafana Bafana.
“Jayden Adams is another typical example. Stellenbosch missed him (today). He is a key player for them and he is with Bafana going to AFCON.
“So you see how doors open for for these youngsters, so they just have to take their career serious, follow their hearts and be patient because when the other door closes, another one opens and it will surely open for for them.”
