Kaizer Chiefs youngsters ready to deliver goals, says Mfundo Vilakazi

Mfundo Vilakazi says he, Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba are prepared to take responsibility for scoring goals at Kaizer Chiefs after revealing the three young attackers have been staying behind after training to work on their finishing.

The trio have been given important roles in Chiefs’ frontline, but their lack of experience has led to questions over whether they can consistently convert the opportunities created by the team.

Those concerns were highlighted after Chiefs’ 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy in midweek. Head coach Fernando Da Cruz pointed to the age of his attacking players as one possible reason for their difficulty in making the most of their chances in front of goal.

Vilakazi, however, believes their youth should not be used as an excuse. The 20-year-old says the players understand the responsibility that comes with representing one of the country’s biggest clubs and with receiving the coach’s confidence.

“​​Yes, I think even though we are young, we must score for the team. Because the coach has shown that he trusts us, just like he said, each and every game, I think we must give it back to him by just scoring goals and creating more chances for the team,” Vilakazi told the media at the Soweto Derby press conference at SuperSport Studios in Randburg.

The young forward also explained that he, Shabalala and Duba have taken additional steps to improve their performance in the final third, working on finishing outside the club’s normal training schedule.

“Yeah, me, Duba and Mdu remain behind after training and finishing, because I think if we can score those goals, I think we can win many games,” he added.

Vilakazi’s comments underline the belief among Chiefs’ young attackers that they can meet the demands placed on them, despite their limited experience at the highest level.

Their extra work will now face another test in the Soweto Derby, where the pressure will be on the young forwards to turn their efforts on the training ground into goals during the match.

Chiefs’ recent win over TS Galaxy provided a positive result, but the continued expectation is for Vilakazi, Shabalala and Duba to become more clinical when chances arrive.

The club’s faith in the trio has given them prominent roles in attack, while Da Cruz’s comments have acknowledged the challenge created by relying on youthful players to lead the frontline. Vilakazi insists they must respond by producing the goals and chances required by the team.