Khanye questions Vilakazi role after Kaizer Chiefs draw with Golden Arrows

IDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye has criticised Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz’s decision to use Mfundo Vilakazi in a free role during the goalless Betway Premiership draw with Golden Arrows.

Khanye believes the 20-year-old would have been more effective as a number 10, particularly because Chiefs did not have an established striker available for the match.

Vilakazi made his sixth league appearance of the season after being named in attack alongside Luke Baartman, Pule Mmodi and Faiz Abrahams. The result was Chiefs’ third consecutive draw against Abafana bes’thende and left Amakhosi fourth in the league with 13 points.

“Why didn’t he use Mfundo as a number 10 instead of using him on a free role like running everywhere?” Khanye said on IDiski TV.

The former player suggested Vilakazi should have been given clearer defensive and attacking responsibilities rather than being allowed to move across the pitch.

“You just tell him when we don’t have the ball just stay with Kubheka and when we do have the ball you need to find someone. You can see the coach’s instruction was to play with crosses. When they go wide Abrahams was told to cross and he’s a typical winger and that’s his strength the technique to cross.”

Khanye questioned the effectiveness of that approach, arguing that Baartman was often not in the right position to attack the deliveries.

“He puts the ball there irrespective of what’s happening but who is crossing to because Baartman is out of position. You want him to come and stay with Kubheka, sometimes he’s late and he doesn’t have the instinct of a striker. But to sacrifice him and play with a false number 9… If you make Mfundo number 10 you were definitely going to get something from the game.”

He also said Vilakazi’s positioning reduced Chiefs’ presence in the penalty area, with other midfielders remaining outside it.

“Mfundo doesn’t join in the box he’s always outside the box. And then you’ve got [Mbongiseni] Mthethwa and [Lebohang] Maboe who are outside the box as well guarding. So it’s difficult how the Kaizer Chiefs coach wants to play.”

Khanye maintained that Vilakazi was being asked to perform a role that limited his influence when Chiefs did not have possession.

“Mfundo was sacrificed to play on a free role we all know that role when you don’t have possession. When we don’t have the ball you come and close spaces, with three players come in the middle and join us and if you are going to cheat just give us something.”