Following a wave of negative reactions from supporters, players and pundits, Mfundo Vilakazi has revealed what Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi made of his 'showboating' and how the public criticism affected him.
Chiefs were handed a 4-0 slapping by Tanzania champions Young Africans in the Toyota Cup in July.
The match, however, would mostly be remembered not so much for the scoreline but rather for Vilakazi's flamboyant displays of Kasi Flava, which were not very positively received by some sections of the football community.
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So much so that even opposition player Stephane Aziz Ki labelled the display as 'nonsense', expressing particular disappointment with the youngster because the Soweto giants were 1-0 down at the time.
Speaking to media at the Fun Valley, South of Johannesburg, where South Africa's U20 squad has assembled, Vilakazi said he was not bothered by the criticism.
"Usually, I don't read comments on social media. I don't care what people say, so I don't think that (being criticized) hurt me," the teenager said.
"As long as the coach and the team are happy. I take criticism as motivation that I must work even harder and if people praise me, that says I must continue doing well.''
"The coach told me that he does not have a problem with showing my skills, but I should go forward. I should not do a skill and go backwards because the team does not benefit. [He also told me] I should try as much as I can to dribble when we are winning, not when they are leading us.
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"I think this season I have to work harder so I will be able to start games. Starting games would boost my confidence and would also help me improve where I should," added the player nicknamed 'OB'.
Vilakazi is part of the squad that has travelled to Maseru in Lesotho, where they will take on Lesotho on Friday afternoon and Sunday.
The two friendly matches are part of the preparations for the 2024 COSAFA U20 Championships set to kick off in September.