Benedict Vilakazi, a name synonymous with South African football excellence, has taken a significant step in his post-playing career by being appointed as the head coach of Prestige Football Development Academy in the Gauteng Development League (GDL).
Vilakazi, widely regarded as one of the most gifted midfielders of his generation, made his mark with Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, where he rose through the ranks much like current starlet Relebohile Mofokeng.
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Tso's legacy at Pirates remains intact, as he still holds the club's record for the most goals scored (52), doing so as a midfielder – an achievement that has stood firm despite his retirement in 2015.
Beyond his tenure at Pirates, Vilakazi also had stints with Danish side Aalborg BK and Mamelodi Sundowns, among other clubs.
His playing career was defined by exceptional vision, technical ability, and a knack for scoring goals from midfield.
Transitioning from player to coach is often a challenging journey for many ex-footballers, but Vilakazi will be eager to make his mark in the coaching space.
His appointment at Prestige Football Development Academy offers him the perfect platform to develop young talent while honing his own skills as a coach.
Having already built a strong reputation as a football analyst, Vilakazi now aims to progress through the coaching ranks and potentially secure a role in the PSL in the future.
His vast experience and deep understanding of the game make him a promising addition to South African football's coaching landscape.
"It's the academy that I have known since 2014, if I remember well. I have been in touch with the owner of the academy for quite some time. He has asked me to come on board, and after a meeting with him and the CEO, it was decided that I should join. How the academy functions and their objectives and everything they do were outlined, and I was happy to get involved," said Vilakazi, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
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"I believe that I have made a good decision by getting involved with them. They have an agreement with Mainz, the club from Germany that whenever there are good players who are showing potential here at home, they will be sent to Germany for opportunities and a chance to be signed. We know that in South Africa it is not always easy for things to happen for aspiring footballers and I am just happy to be involved in such a project, and I will be working towards helping them to get closer to realising their dreams and I am hoping that when opportunities do come their way they will grab them with both hands," concluded Vilakazi.
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By Masebe Qina
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