Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi, is regarded as one of the most exciting young players. The 18-year-old was promoted to the Amakhosi senior team before making his professional debut in the Nedbank Cup match against Milford FC. "The unbelievable skills of Mfundo Vilakazi, not because we represent him. But I have to tell you, I had the fortune of representing Jabu Pule (Mahlangu) and I never thought that I would see another player with that innate talent. That unbelievable ability on the ball until I saw Mfundo Vilakazi, he is probably one of the most exciting young players I've seen in this country for many, many years," Vilakazi's business manager Mike Makaab told Gagasi FM. Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver tracked down Mahlangu, who was more than happy to share his thoughts?on the teenage sensation, mapping out the potential dangers he could face. He also shared his thoughts on Orlando Pirates sensation Relebohile Mofokeng and much more.
Delmain Faver: 'Shuffle' thanks so much for speaking to us. We are sure that you heard what Mike Makaab, who has represented you in the past, said about the talents of Mfundo Vilakazi and the comparisons to you during your playing days. What was your reaction upon hearing this?
Jabu Mahlangu: I heard Mike and saw it on social media. I think Mfundo is absolutely talented and has a football brain. Like me, he's not big in stature, but the difference is that I was right footed, and he is left. He can unlock any low block defence at any given moment, and he's got so much character. I think Mike is right. I don't compare my- self to him, but I see a young Jabu in Mfundo in terms of his character, speed, dribbling, and, of course, his football brain. You can be a good dribbler, but without the brain to finish the product, it's not as effective.
DF: Is that so?
JM: I think he is a player to watch, but at the same time, we must make sure that we do not put him under too much pressure. But I know playing for Kaizer Chiefs, even if you play for the reserves – I mean I grew up there, playing for U17s, as long as you wear the jersey, there's pressure. Of course, it's first team now, it's the highest level so there's pressure. And for me I can say with all due respect to the current Chiefs players, they are quality good players, but Mfundo is exceptional. When I watch him, he's true Kaizer Chiefs material. I'm talking about Mfundo here, that's all I can say.
DF: The difference between you and him, though, is that you played at a time when the club was doing relatively well, and there was not as much pressure on you to deliver. Whereas with Mfundo, it's difficult for him to enjoy his game because the team is fresh from one of their worst seasons ever...
JM: When I was promoted, there were senior players like the late Thabang Lebese, Thabo 'Tsiki Tsiki' Mooki, Frank Makua, Robson Muchichwa, and Pollen Ndlanya. The calibre of players when I got promoted was massive. At that time, the club was winning trophies and doing well. They never won the league like Sundowns, but trophies were guaranteed.
DF: We hear you.
JM: So, it was easy for me to make that transition from the development to the senior team. What the senior players, like Mooki and Siyabonga Nomvethe, said to me was: 'Enjoy yourself, and we'll protect you. Whenever you play, be yourself. Don't worry about anything else or losing the ball, we will cover you. We know ukuthi (that) we are going to move and you'll take over at some point.' So, they gave me that responsibility at my age in the first season, but of course the team was doing well. The difference with Mfundo is that the team was extremely under pressure; it's not a secret, every- body knows that. Going for a decade without one trophy is really bad for a team of Chiefs' calibre and the his- tory of the club. So, that is my worry for Mfundo: is he going to be able to give it his all? Is he going to be able to handle this pressure? That is the big question, but I hope the likes of Mike, his management, and Chiefs try to work together to protect him.
DF: You made no secret about some of the things that plagued you during your career and how it all went south for you. What in your opinion should he do to avoid the pitfalls, dangers and distractions that he is still to encounter?
JM: Ja eish, it's a very tricky one. But looking at him from afar, he's a very humble boy, both for the team and for himself, and he wants to succeed. I'm sure he will want to go overseas, you know, because that's where you test yourself more. You can be the best here, but if you don't challenge yourself to go overseas, then it's a different story; you'll be on the same level throughout your career. The other thing that I think I can maybe advise is that he's going to havea lot of friends, and he won't even understand where these other friends come from, because that's what happened to me, you know. Also, some of his teammates are going to hate, whereas on the frontline, they will pretend like they're happy.
DM: That's interesting...
JM: Yeah, so he will have to face all of those challenges. With regards to friends, especially unnecessary ones, he must try to keep his circle as small as he can. Once he allows a lot of people in to make that circle bigger, he's not going to be able to control his own career and his own life, and it can even be worse in terms of being able to make his own decisions. So, I think it's a difficult one. Chiefs is a big team; everyone will want to be his friend, also girlfriends, you know. It's a fact; it happened to us. It even happened in Europe, where we see other players being jailed for allegations of rape and all those things. You know, when you play for such a team like Chiefs and you are a superstar.
DF: We hear you...
JM: I wish that for him so that he can stand firm on his feet and perform miracles for Chiefs because I believe he can. But it's not only about him as an individual; it's also about his teammates. The players that are signed by Kaizer Chiefs must come in to complement Mfundo, you know what I'm saying? That's a big factor. I mean, there's also Mdu Shabalala. You know, I was hoping that he would become one of the regular players by now, but I'm not the coach.
DF: What do you mean by that?
JM: I can't blame anyone, but if I were the coach, I mean, he was introduced two years ago, I think, and by now, he would have been a senior player. Then, when Mfundo comes, he would take him under his wing, you know. But unfortunately, he also had challenges with coaches not really giving him the opportunity that I think he deserves. But coming back to Mfundo, he's very exciting, but let's not put too much pressure on him. Of course, I'm expecting a lot from him based on his talent, and I'm hoping everyone around him will protect him so that this boy can really reach his heights and represent Bafana Bafana. We need a player like him there, too. You know, we don't have that player who can unlock teams at any time, who has confidence on the ball. I think that's the message or the advice I can give: let's protect this boy as much as we can. I'm not saying we must not protect other players, but because right now we're talking about Mfundo, and I see a lot of myself in him in terms of football and his talent.
DF: It's not only Mfundo who is shining brightly; at another of your former clubs, Orlando Pirates, there is Relebohile Mofokeng, who has set the scene alight this season. What are your thoughts on Rele?
JM: Wow, I like him! Ay Mofokeng, there's something special about this boy. I like him, and he is already becoming a household name, and he's young. It is his first season, you know, he has made an impact at Orlando Pirates, which is a big, big club, a big brand with a rich history. These guys need to be protected, my brother, you know, irrespective of which team they play for, because at the end of the day, they're going to play for Bafana Bafana, which means they're going to represent us. There's another boy (Antonio) Van Wyk from Stellies with the dreadlocks. I like that boy, and I'm sure he's going to get signed by the Big Three next season. I'm definitely sure. But coming back to Mofokeng, (he's a) very skilful player, brave on the ball, and whenever he eliminates the defender, there's a finished product; he either passes to the striker, the striker takes a shot, or he scores by himself, or the keeper saves. That's what we want. And when we talk about flair, that is flair at its best, where you dribble or unlock, or even in tight situations, maybe it's 2v1, you can dribble those two players, leave them there in the corner, and then put through a striker or even score. He's got everything for me. (He is) also like me, small in stature but very talented. And these players, man, I wish we could protect them more, better than us because now there are a lot of challenges. In our era, yes, we had our own challenges, but there was no social media.
DF: Sure...
JM: You know, all these things. I know women, other friends who DM (Direct message) them to be friends, like I said. Those are the things that their teams and their managements must look at. If they need to control these boys' social media space, they must do it, so that they know who's contacting these boys, who's talking to these boys, because there are vultures out there. You would think: 'Eish, I don't want to be a bad person because now I'm playing for Pirates, I'm a superstar, let me accommodate everyone.' That's when the problem will start. So, I'm saying, guys, let's try and protect these players, and if their management sees this. They must also make sure that they control the social media, so that they can see who's engaging, who's fooling who there, what's going on... I think that will also make their careers a bit longer in terms of protecting them. But absolutely, they are fantastic players to watch, exceptional players, very skilful players. That is the essence of raw South African football players.
DF: Shuffle, thanks a lot for your time.
JM: Anytime my brother.
