Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has explained why the lesser-spotted Mfundo Vilakazi hasn’t been in the side much this term.
Obrigado comes off the bench in Stellies win
Mfundo ‘Obrigado’ Vilakazi was a super-sub as Chiefs came from behind to beat Stellenbosch 2-1 thanks to a brace from Wandile Duba. Obrigado assisted the winner. Under Nabi, Chiefs have become heavily reliant on several youngsters including Duba, Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane. Nabi doesn’t regard Vilakazi as an automatic starter yet though.
Kaizer Chiefs
Vilakazi settles for a super-sub role, for now
Vilakazi has featured in 11 of Chiefs’ 12 league outings this term but only one of those was from the start. Nabi feels as though he’s not quite ready for 90 minutes of football at a time.
Via FarPost:
“Mfundo Vilakazi is a talent from the academy of the club. He’s only 19 years old, so I would say his physical development is not yet 100%, which means that we need to protect him,” Nabi said.
“We need to give him time that will allow him to showcase himself, and we believe that he doesn’t yet have the consistency of playing 90 minutes in successive games without time to recover. We feel that these minutes he’s getting are going to build his confidence, momentum and his physical structure.”
Is the Velebayi deal dead?
Asanele Velebayi is a big admirer of Rushwin Dortley and Relebohile Mofokeng’s work in the top flight. Have Chiefs put the 21-year-old on the back burner in favour of Oswin Appollis?
New deal for Duba
According to Soccer Laduma, Chiefs have huge faith in Wandile Duba and are willing to tie the young attacker down to a new three-year deal. Born in June 2004, Duba scored his first senior career goal in March 2024 as a 19-year-old. It was a winner, and an absolute screamer, against Golden Arrows. Fast-forward to 2024-2025 and Duba scored a brace to help Chiefs to a 2-1 win over Stellenbosch on Wednesday night. He’s back to his old tricks and Chiefs fans love him for it.
Is Vilakazi on the brink of a breakthrough into the first XI?
