In an exclusive interview with KickOff, former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs captain Siphiwe Shabalala has offered a word of advice to Amakhosi’s rising star Mfundo Vilakazi.
The emergence of Vilakazi has been one of very few positives to draw from Amakhosi's disastrous season. In two appearances, the teenager has shown glimpses of a potential game-changer prompting comparison with the legendary Jabu Mahlangu.
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However, Vilakazi is still at the start of his career and still looking to make the transition into professional football.
At the end opposite end of the spectrum, Tshabalala is at the twilight of his career. Having seen it all and won every major domestic trophy, including winning the last league title Chiefs won back in 2015, has shared a word of advice with Vilakazi.
"It’s difficult [to transition from Kasi football to the premiership] but it’s not impossible, it’s difficult but it’s doable," Tshabalala told KickOff at the Ke Yona Ya Rona Fan Experience event on Saturday.
"When you make that transition, prior to that, you are in a space that you love. You are in a space that you’ve always wanted to be in. So each and every path gets’ elevated and you must be prepared for that stage.
"In the foundation stage, you have excelled. Now you get to another stage, it’s a big stage, it’s a stage where you there are expectations, there are temptations and it’s a stage where is a lot of people with good intentions, some bad intentions.
Mfundo Vilakazi vs Richards Bay. A player that can beat an opponent pic.twitter.com/igwE7ieIQj
— SITHALE??? (@SithaleKgaogelo) April 24, 2024
"It’s a stage with a lot of friends, a lot of attention, a lot of followers and a lot of media mileage as well.
"So it’s a stage you need to prepare for, but most importantly, remember who you are.
"First you are a human being, then you are a public figure, you know the status, but first the human being aspect is very important. Your mental well-being as well.
"Also remember that you are not the first one to be there at that stage, a lot of people have been there. A lot of people have walked that journey, so you can speak to them, you can ask for advice.
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"Those who fell short and those who succeeded, so you can ask from both sides, so you will learn something that you will not learn at school.
"It’s about learning, it's about discipline and it’s about hunger."
Shabba made 344 appearances for Amakhosi, contributing 55 goals and 85 assists in a 10-year spell that delivered two league titles.
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