Mfundo Vilakazi, Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba Ready to Lead Kaizer Chiefs’ Goal-Scoring Charge

Kaizer Chiefs youngster Mfundo Vilakazi has insisted that he, Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba are ready to take responsibility for delivering goals as Amakhosi look to strengthen their attacking threat. The three young forwards have been given important opportunities in the Chiefs frontline, with head coach Fernando Da Cruz showing confidence in their ability to make a difference. However, their performances in front of goal have attracted attention, particularly when the team creates opportunities but struggles to convert them into goals. Vilakazi believes their age should not become an excuse for failing to deliver for one of South Africa’s biggest football clubs. The talented attacker has also revealed that he and his teammates have been putting in extra work after regular training sessions to improve their finishing ahead of important fixtures, including the highly anticipated Soweto Derby.

The expectations surrounding Kaizer Chiefs’ young attackers are considerable because of the club’s history, reputation and demanding supporter base. Amakhosi are one of the most recognisable football clubs in South Africa, and their supporters expect the team to compete consistently for victories and trophies. Scoring goals is an important part of meeting those expectations, particularly when the team creates enough opportunities to threaten opposition defences. Vilakazi, Shabalala and Duba have all been trusted with attacking responsibilities despite their relative lack of experience at senior level. Their development is therefore an important part of the club’s efforts to build a competitive team capable of delivering consistent performances.

The discussion around their goal-scoring responsibilities gained attention following Kaizer Chiefs’ 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy in midweek. Despite the positive result, head coach Fernando Da Cruz highlighted the age of his attacking players as a possible explanation for their struggles to convert opportunities. His comments brought attention to the challenges facing young forwards who are still developing their decision-making and composure in the final third. At the highest level of professional football, creating chances is only part of the responsibility. Attackers must also develop the ability to make the right decisions, find space and finish opportunities under pressure.

Vilakazi, however, is not interested in using his age as an excuse. The 20-year-old believes that young players must take advantage of the opportunities given to them and reward the confidence shown by their coach. Speaking during the Soweto Derby press conference at SuperSport Studios in Randburg, the talented attacker made it clear that he understands what is expected of him and his teammates. He acknowledged that scoring goals and creating more opportunities for the team must remain priorities. His comments suggest that the young attackers are determined to accept the responsibility rather than avoid the pressure associated with playing for Kaizer Chiefs.

“Yes, I think even though we are young, we must score for the team. Because the coach has shown that he trusts us, just like he said, each and every game, I think we must give it back to him by just scoring goals and creating more chances for the team,” Vilakazi told the media.

The statement reflects an understanding that opportunities at a club like Kaizer Chiefs come with significant expectations. Da Cruz has demonstrated confidence in the youngsters by giving them opportunities to contribute in attacking positions. Vilakazi believes that the best way to repay that trust is through goals, assists and improved attacking performances. For young footballers, consistency is often one of the biggest challenges when moving into senior professional football. They must learn to handle pressure while maintaining confidence in their abilities, especially when playing in front of demanding supporters.

One of the most encouraging revelations from Vilakazi was the additional work that the attacking trio have been doing outside their regular training schedule. He confirmed that he, Duba and Shabalala have been staying behind after training sessions to practise their finishing. This decision highlights their awareness of an area where they believe improvement is necessary. Rather than relying exclusively on the coaching staff to address the problem, the youngsters have taken personal responsibility for developing their attacking qualities. Their extra sessions are aimed at helping them become more clinical when opportunities arise during matches.

“Yeah, me, Duba and Mdu remain behind after training and finishing, because I think if we can score those goals, I think we can win many games,” Vilakazi added.

The importance of finishing cannot be underestimated in modern football. Teams can dominate possession, create promising attacking movements and put pressure on opposition defenders without necessarily securing victories. A lack of clinical finishing can leave clubs frustrated, particularly when they concede goals after failing to capitalise on their own opportunities. For Kaizer Chiefs, improving their conversion rate could make a significant difference in closely contested matches. The additional training undertaken by Vilakazi, Duba and Shabalala could help them develop better positioning, composure and confidence in front of goal.

Vilakazi’s role is also worth watching because of the attacking qualities he brings to the Chiefs squad. The youngster is known for his dribbling ability, confidence on the ball and willingness to take on defenders. These qualities can help create opportunities for teammates and disrupt opposition defensive structures. However, becoming a more complete attacking player also requires consistent decision-making in the final third. Knowing when to shoot, when to pass and how to position himself inside the penalty area will be important as he continues developing his game. Improving his finishing could make him an even more influential figure in the Chiefs attack.

Shabalala and Duba also have an important role to play in the club’s attacking plans. Their involvement alongside Vilakazi gives Chiefs several young options who can contribute through movement, creativity and goal-scoring opportunities. Working together during additional finishing sessions could help the trio improve their understanding of attacking situations. They can also challenge one another to maintain high standards and develop greater confidence when facing goalkeepers. While individual ability remains important, effective communication and understanding between forwards can make a significant difference to a team’s attacking performance.

The timing of their comments is particularly important because the Soweto Derby represents one of the biggest challenges in South African football. The rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates attracts enormous attention from supporters and the wider football community. Players from both teams understand that performances in this fixture can have a lasting impact on their reputations. For young attackers, the derby provides an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to perform under pressure. Vilakazi, Shabalala and Duba will therefore be hoping that their additional work on the training ground translates into positive performances when it matters most.

The Soweto Derby is also a fixture where attacking opportunities can be limited by the intensity and tactical discipline of both teams. Defenders are often highly focused because they understand the importance of preventing their rivals from scoring. Forwards must therefore be sharp with their movement and decisive when chances arrive. A single mistake in front of goal can prove costly in a match where both sides are determined to avoid defeat. This makes the finishing work undertaken by the Chiefs youngsters particularly relevant ahead of the encounter.

For Da Cruz, the development of these young attackers could become an important part of his work at Naturena. Building a successful team requires players who can contribute consistently, regardless of their age or experience. Giving young footballers opportunities is one way to develop squad depth and create competition for places. However, those opportunities must eventually produce tangible results on the pitch. Vilakazi’s comments suggest that the youngsters understand the importance of turning their potential into consistent attacking contributions.

The challenge for Kaizer Chiefs will be ensuring that their young forwards continue developing while delivering the results supporters expect. Extra finishing sessions are a positive step, but improvements must also become visible during competitive matches. The trio will need to demonstrate composure, discipline and confidence when facing different defensive challenges. They will also have to maintain their creativity rather than becoming overly focused on scoring individually. A balanced attacking approach that combines goals, assists and intelligent movement could make them valuable contributors to the team’s progress.

Vilakazi’s message is clear. He, Shabalala and Duba understand that representing Kaizer Chiefs comes with responsibility, and they are prepared to work harder to meet those expectations. Their decision to remain behind after training shows a willingness to address their weaknesses and improve their contribution to the team. With the Soweto Derby providing another major test, attention will turn to whether their extra preparation can produce the goals Amakhosi need. For Chiefs supporters, the development of these three young attackers offers an important storyline as the club continues building its attacking identity. Ultimately, their success will depend on turning hard work, talent and the trust of their coach into consistent performances and goals on the pitch.

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