Kaizer Chiefs starlet handed long-term senior contract

Kaizer Chiefs starlet handed long-term senior contract

Vilakazi arrived at Kaizer Chiefs’ Youth Development Academy in 2021, initially playing for the U17 team. He was then promoted to the reserve team, where he continued to excel and caught the eye of the senior coaches.

The 18-year-old started training with the senior squad earlier this season and was included in the team shortly afterwards, having already made the matchday squad on six occasions, appearing twice from the bench.

Kaizer Chiefs have now locked in his services

The Soweto-born attacking midfielder expressed his delight at signing this contract, saying: “I’m happy and excited to have a contract with a big Club like Chiefs. It has always been my dream from a young age to play for the senior team and represent Kaizer Chiefs. I am looking forward to contributing to the Club and paying back the management for believing in my talent. I thank all the supporters who always push me to do better, I promise not to disappoint.”

Talent for the future

Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. added: “We are very excited to be able to conclude this contract extension. Mfundo is an exceptional talent and we are looking forward to seeing him showcase his God-given technical ability with the senior team for many years to come. It’s now all about the hard work for the young man and we know he will do his best.

“Mfundo’s promotion is a testament to the great work in our development structures. We have built an environment that is conducive to producing talent for the senior team, which is fundamental to the ethos of Kaizer Chiefs. We have some hard-working people – from under-13 to the reserve side – who do not focus purely on winning but mainly on producing top footballers for the senior team.”

The contract extension will see him stay at Naturena until June 2028.

CAUTION HAS BEEN ISSUED AROUND RUSHING THE CHIEFS YOUNGSTER TOO SOON

Last year year, Chiefs reserves coach Vela Khumalo issued a stern warning about rushing the youngster too soon, while highlighting the importance of offering the necessary support to Vilakazi.

“Let us not rush into saying the boy is a star. He’s young and talented. He’s a player that we want to build. We want to build him over time until he becomes a better player we believe he can be,” Khumalo told FARPost.

“Ultimately, we want to prepare him for the first team. It’s just a matter of time, and it’s a working progress for him to get to the desired level that we want him to reach.”