Kaizer Chiefs star Mduduzi Shabalala has revealed his message to teammate Mfundo Vilakazi, who recently signed his first senior contract with the club.
The duo are among the youngest players in the squad's senior squad team, with Shabalala in his second season as a first team players after being promoted from the Soweto giants' DStv Diski Challenge team.
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Vilakazi is the latest to come from the prestigious academy, having signed a fresh three-year deal mid-April.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Chiefs' upcoming match against SuperSport United, Shabalala reveals that the pair know each other from way before their giant leap into the elite division ranks.
"I started playing with Mfundo at kasi [the township]; we were playing in the Siphiwe Tshabalala Foundation Tournament. That’s where I saw Mfundo play. We met there and connected, and our relationship started there," Shabalala explained.
"I always talk to him and tell him that 'it may not be now, but one day, it [success at Chiefs] is going to happen. Just keep on growing, keep on grinding'.
"Because he is a good player.
"We know that we are good players; it is just that we are not fortunate enough, and things are not going our way, but one day, people will be talking a different story about us," he concluded.
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Chiefs are in their worst form in the PSL era, with just two wins from their last 10 league matches. The pressure for results means opportunities for game-time have been hard to come by for the club’s younger players.
"As young players at Chiefs, I feel sorry for us because it is not easy. It’s tough," added the skilful player.
"Even after one bad game, we are [considered] bad players.”
Chiefs’ match against Matsatsantsa will be played at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 17:30.
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