'What I told Chiefs' rising star'

Kaizer Chiefs' rising star Mfundo Vilakazi has been handed advice by  former Kaizer Chiefs playmaker and current Cape Town Spurs midfielder Keagan Buchanan.

Having recently been promoted to the first team, Vilakazi put in a stand-out performance and scored the opening goal as the Carling All-Stars XI registered a 2-1 victory over the Carling Knockout winners Stellenbosch at the start of January.

The 18-year-old was one of six DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) players voted to be part of the star-studded team that include Itumeleng Khune, Thembinkosi Lorch and Njabulo Ngcobo among others.

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While still finding his feet with the senior team and yet to make a senior debut in a competitive fixture, Vilakazi has been handed advice from former Chiefs playmaker Buchanan spent two seasons at Amakhosi between 2016 and 2018.

"Yea I talk to Mfundo a lot man, a good boy, we chat," Buchanan told KickOff.

"I mention him because he's the one in the spotlight you know, he really put his hand up in that game (Carling All-Stars vs Stellenbosch).

"But in general, for the younger players. I say, in this league, sometimes you get misunderstood when you are just yourself, so I always tell him and other players to be themselves and that works for me.

"It helps playing for a team that suits your strengths that's the first thing. There are so many occasions where you see a boy leave a specific team and all of a sudden becomes a star and people ask why.

"They ask 'why is this boy now a star but at that other team he wasn't a star'. I think maybe it's because he is in a team that suits his game more.

"My advice to the younger players has been to remember that one: discipline is important, we are all footballers, some players drink. There is no in between. Some people draw a line and say footballers shouldn't touch alcohol, nah, most footballers drink but there is a time and a place for everything.

"Two, the way you carry yourself off the field is important and how you look after your body will take you beyond your playing days.

"So, remaining professional is the key because that's how you get a team because people.

"I also tell him to just play his game and be himself. Express yourself and play your own game within the dynamic of your team and what the coach wants, but remember that this game is abut enjoying yourself."

ALSO READ | Chiefs defender issues verdict on Vilakazi

Vilakazi is just one of several of South Africa's rising starts who have raised up their hand and are establishing themselves as bright prospects. These include Mduduzi Shabalala, Azola Matrose, Emile Witbooi, Luphumlo Sifumba and Relebohile Mofokeng.

"If you watch someone like Mfundo, if you watch someone like Mofokeng from Pirates, Baartman, Tshabalala, all these younger boys they've got a thing about the where you can see that they are enjoying themselves," added Buchanan.

"They are doing what they love and they express themselves that on the field."

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