Kaizer Chiefs made a huge call by handing teenage sensation Mfundo Vilakazi a long-term contract extension this week and now the club's Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Junior has explained the reasoning behind the decision.
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Chiefs, the Siya crew understands, had previously preferred to hand young players development contracts.
This means that the players are eligible to feature in the club's reserve and development teams, as well as the first team, without having a professional contract just yet.
The likes of Aiden McCarthy, Donay Jansen and Lungile Nkosi are currently on such deals.
But with Vilakazi, Chiefs have upped the ante, handing the exciting teenager a long-term first team contract which will come to an end in 2028.
"We are very excited to be able to conclude this contract extension. Mfundo is an exceptional talent and we are looking forward to seeing him showcase his God-given technical ability with the senior team for many years to come. It's now all about the hard work for the young man and we know he will do his best," Motaung Junior told the club's website of their decision.
"Mfundo's promotion is a testament to the great work in our development structures. We have built an environment that is conducive to producing talent for the senior team, which is fundamental to the ethos of Kaizer Chiefs. We have some hard-working people - from under-13 to the reserve side - who do not focus purely on winning but mainly on producing top footballers for the senior team," he continued.
Vilakazi has made two appearances for Chiefs so far this season, though that number is expected to increase in the final games of the 2023/24 season.
