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Mfundo Vilakazi Kaizer ChiefsBackpagepix
Khothatso Leballo

FIFA Under-20 World Cup leaves former Kaizer Chiefs coach convinced Mfundo Vilakazi 'should be starting at Amakhosi' and sparks talk about transfer to Europe

The 19-year-old was one of the best-performing South Africa players in Chile as he seemed to be sending a message to his Amakhosi coaches. He might have succeeded in proving that he can be on top of his game in another environment. Now, a former coach of the Soweto giants who gave the player his breakthrough wants him to play more at club level.

  • Mfundo Vilakazi, Amajita, October 2025Backpagepix

    Decent U20 World Cup for Vilakazi

    Mfundo Vilakazi was on target despite Amajita losing 3-1 to Colombia in a Round of 16 match at the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Wednesday.

    The Kaizer Chiefs star was a constant threat to the Colombians and Wednesday's performance came fresh from the Man of the Match display against the USA in South Africa's last group game.

    That summed up a decent outing at the World Cup and former Amakosi coach Cavin Jonson says Vilakazi should be a regular at club level.

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  • Cavin Johnson of Kaizer ChiefsBackpagepix

    'Vilakazi has a lot to prove'

    "I think Mfundo (Vilakazi) has got a very bright future ahead of him. Where he is now, he is probably proving people wrong that he should be starting at Kaizer Chiefs," Johnson told Soccer Laduma.  
    "And as long as he keeps his feet on the ground, and do as much as he can in reading the game properly and improve on that and get his physicality at another level, then I think he is going to be a very good player.
    "That's my opinion. Why he is not a starter you have to find out from Chiefs. That's a conversation you have to ask Chiefs.
    "I think he has got a lot to prove to move to Europe because when you look at what's happening in Europe at the moment, then it draws a completely different picture, you know," added the experienced coach.

    "When you look at who is in Europe now and who are the top players in Europe, then to put Mfundo in with those players.

    "Whether he is ready to go to Europe and play for a bit of a smaller team, that's another story."

  • Nasreddine Nabi & Mfundo Vilakazi, Kaizer Chiefs, August 2025Backpagepix

    The rise of Vilakazi

    Johnson was the coach who gave Vilakazi his senior team debut as an 18-year-old in a Nedbank Cup match against Milford FC in February 2024.

    That was a breakthrough which earned him a professional contract two months later and was followed by 25 appearances in all competitions last season under coach Nasreddine Nabi, scoring three goals.

    But the midfielder has featured in just four matches this season, although he has now spent some time away from the club while on Amajita duty. 

  • Mfundo Vilakazi, Kaizer Chiefs, August 2025Backpagepix

    What comes next?

    As Vilakazi returns with confidence from the World Cup, Amakosi coaches might have identified space for him to be a regular starter.

    The teenager might also want to take a shot at impressing Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

    It is doubtful that he will be back in time to face on Congolese outfit FC Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup second round preliminary but will definitely be aiming to get on the pitch for the second leg a week later in Johannesburg.