Kaizer Chiefs teenager Mfundo Vilakazi admits he was a bit scared ahead of his Soweto Derby debut but is looking forward to continuing his growth this season.
Vilakazi, 18, has enjoyed a breakout season with his senior debut for Chiefs, first taste of the Derby at the Calabash and his first youth international camp in the space of a few months.
For all the confidence and skill he possesses, which was showcased with the Carling All-Stars when he scored during their triumph over Stellenbosch, he admits nerves crept in for the biggest game in the South African calendar last month.
“Yeah I’ve been part of the senior team, it’s a very big thing because playing for Kaizer Chiefs, I think everyone is watching you, how you behave, so you have to be humble,” he said when asked by iDiski Times about his feelings of senior promotion.
“It was [a dream] to play the Soweto Derby, the pitch inspection I was a little bit scared but as the game went on I felt… if I entered [the pitch] I would be able to do something.”
Vilakazi certainly didn’t look out of place alongside his peers in training and he admits it’s been a camp of growth mixing it up with players from clubs around the country.
“It’s my first time in the junior national team, I’m learning a lot because there are other players from other teams, we’re helping each other to improve every day,” he explained.
“The most exciting thing that’s happened so far was the friendly against M Tigers and I scored! I think I’ve fitted in well with this group as many of us play in the same leagues, we help each other, we correct each other if we do the wrong things.”
Vilakazi was among 46 players part of the South Africa national U20 camp that is preparing for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September this year.
