Kaizer Chiefs attacker Mfundo Vilakazi has not had the easiest of seasons, but things are looking up and there is still so much more to come in 2025 in terms of major competitions.
In a space of just two weeks, the 20-year-old secured two gold medals, from the Africa Cup of Nations with the national under-20 team and the Nedbank Cup, which he will receive when he returns to Naturena this week.
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But that's not all. There are two major tournaments to play in before the end of the year; the FIFA World Cup with Amajita, as the under-20 team is affectionately known, and the CAF Confederation Cup with Amakhosi, who booked a spot in next season's edition by winning the Nedbank Cup.
Chiefs have not played continental football since losing out to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the 2021 CAF Champions League final. They will be back on the continent next season to try to get their hands on the prize, which is exciting for Vilakazi.
"For the rest of the year, I need to keep on pushing. I will go back to my club and work hard and I am glad that we will be playing CAF next season. I think I need to focus and work hard and then everything else will come," Vilakazi said, after Amajita landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
"Playing in CAF will help my game a lot because there is a lot of experience there, so I will also grow."
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Amakhosi ended a 10-year trophy drought, but that victory has not fooled Vilakazi into thinking that it will take pressure off the team.
"I don't think so, because Kaizer Chiefs are a big team. There will always be pressure," he said before commenting about the two medals he will now get to have on his display in his home.
"It shows that anything is possible. When you look at our season, it has not been so great, but I am a champion twice."
At the airport, Vilakazi was welcomed by his family, including his grandmother Sibongile Dlamini, who raised him for a big part of his life.
"It means a lot to me because I am where I am today because of them. I just want to say thank you to them."
