The Glamour Boys’ graduate has been in the limelight after showing an entertaining skill despite his team’s struggles.
Kaizer Chiefs' 18-year-old midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi hit the headlines after his showboating in his team's humiliating 4-0 loss in the Toyota Cup against Young Africans SC.
With Amakhosi trailing 2-0, the teenager decided to show his skills and entertain thousands of the fans who had filled the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday, July 28.
Yanga SC star Stephane Aziz Ki is among the players who were not impressed with the Amakhosi youngster. He claimed what he was doing was nonsense considering the fact that the scoreline was not favouring his team.
How did Nabi react to Vilakazi's showboating?
The attacking midfielder has now stated his coach Nasreddine Nabi had no problem with it but went on to advise him on when it should be done.
“After the showboating incident, coach Nabi told me that I couldn’t do it if the team is losing, and when I do it, I need to ensure that I do it in a progressive manner, attack, go forward so that the team can benefit,” Vilakazi told Far Post.
“During our chat, the coach said he doesn’t have a problem with my skills, but I must attack and not perform a skill going backward because the team does not benefit at all and dribble when we are winning.”
Does showboating have a place in modern football?
The Chiefs graduate has hinted he will still show his skill if the opportunity and situation favours it as opposed to the previous incident.
“I still believe showboating has a place in pro football. We have fans to entertain, but it depends on when you do it, what’s the score, is the team leading or losing. All those factors come into play,” Vilakazi continued.
“What I have learned is that I should not dribble when the team is losing; I should only dribble around the 80th minute but only when the team is winning.”
Vilakazi is currently with the U20 National team that will play Lesotho in a double-header friendly scheduled for August 16 and 18.
