Birthday over, business begins: Mfundo Vilakazi ready to step up for Kaizer Chiefs in Egypt

Kaizer Chiefs rising star Mfundo Vilakazi turned 20 this week, but the gifted attacker insists any celebrations are already behind him as Amakhosi sharpen their focus for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup opener away to Al Masry in Egypt.

Vilakazi, one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Naturena’s youth structures, managed to spend time with his family before joining the travelling squad. For him, balancing personal moments with professional duty is important — but the mindset shift, he says, is immediate.

“I’m glad we travelled a little late so I could spend my day with my family, but now I have to focus on Sunday because the birthday is over,” he told the media.

His inclusion in the squad is further proof of the faith the Chiefs technical team continues to place in him. Travelling to North Africa for a continental fixture is no small responsibility, and Vilakazi understands the trust that comes with it.

“I’m very happy that as a young player I get to travel with the team. It shows the team has faith in me because this is an important game. The coaches are keen on taking me along, so I have to make them happy and work hard.”

Chiefs open their CAF campaign against Al Masry before returning home for another heavyweight assignment — a showdown with Zamalek in Polokwane next week. Vilakazi knows the importance of starting strongly, especially with back-to-back fixtures that will shape their early-season momentum.

“In these two games, we want to win both of them, both the first and second legs,” he added.

Even though the second leg is not immediate, the sentiment behind his ambition is clear: he wants Chiefs to win everything in front of them, beginning in Egypt and continuing in Polokwane.

What steadies him is the support from experienced teammates. Chiefs’ senior core has rallied around the youngster, urging him to express himself without fear.

“The senior players have been very helpful. They’ve encouraged me to play with freedom and not mind the consequences and do what I usually do. I think I have the right people around me, and I should never think that, because I’m here, I can become big-headed.”

For a player still finding his feet at senior level, that grounding is vital. The humility, the willingness to listen, and the desire to improve all echo through his words and actions.

Vilakazi also carries a personal good omen into this trip. Earlier this year, he helped South Africa’s U20 side lift the AFCON title in Egypt — a memory that still fuels him.

“It must be a good omen for us because the last time I was in Egypt, I won the AFCON.”

For Chiefs, the match in Alexandria is a chance to lay down an early continental marker. For Vilakazi, it is another step in a young career gathering momentum — and a timely reminder that talent paired with discipline can take him far.

Birthday done. Focus locked. Egypt next.