Kaizer Chiefs return to Durban on a mission to redeem themselves against Sekhukhune United on Sunday, following the adverse outcome of their previous home match at Moses Mabhida Stadium last weekend.

The 1-0 defeat at the hands of Lamontville Golden Arrows has added extra incentive to win this time around in order to keep their Betway Premiership campaign on track.

One of the bright sparks of the season so far has been the increased involvement of teenage prodigy, Mfundo Vilakazi, who has worked his way into the starting line-up after impressing a number of times from the bench this season.

Speaking exclusively to www.kaizerchiefs.com, ‘Obrigado’, as he is affectionately known, emphasises the need to maintain a strong work ethic which he believes will pay off in the long run, beginning with the assignment at hand, namely Beating Sekhukhune United.

“As a team, we are ready for this game,” he says, “We won’t be taking them for granted. We are very serious in our approach to the game because we want to win, and that will take a great effort. Everyone is motivated to give everything on the field to get the result.”

Vilakazi’s incredible exploits at youth level marked him out early as a potential future superstar and his seamless ascension into the senior ranks suggests he is on course to fulfil those lofty predictions.

“From a personal point of view, I am happy with my progress. I have managed to get into the starting XI twice this season and I just want to keep on learning and improving,” he reveals before adding, with sense of maturity and perspective, “I am not putting too much pressure on myself. I just want to make a contribution to the team. If I make an assist, for me it’s as good as a goal, and the goals themselves will also come.”

While Chiefs have striven for consistency, occasionally yielding patchy performances and results, the Amakhosi faithful have stood solidly behind the team, even amid some murmurings of discontent, and acknowledges their frustrations while appreciating their loyalty.

“Our fans have been brilliant in the way they have been supporting us, and we have been very disappointed on the occasions when results have gone against us, He admits, “We understand their complaints because we want nothing more than to give them a reason to celebrate. We really want to win on Sunday to give our fans something to smile about and keep coming back to support us. It means a lot. We just need to keep working hard. The results will come.”

The Betway Premiership encounter between Kaizer Chiefs and Sekhukhune United at Moses Mabhida Stadium kicks off at 15:30 on Sunday, 19 January.