DURBAN – A couple of months ago, Nhlanhla Vilakazi, was the darling of Free State Stars as he played a pivotal role in their Nedbank Cup success, but it is going to be a different story all together on Sunday when his new team, AmaZulu, tackles his former employers.
Usuthu will be striving for consistency at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday when they face Stars in a PSL encounter.
Vilakazi joined Usuthu from Stars in June. The same player who brought joy to the Stars faithful is the same one who is aiming to add to his former team’s misery.
Stars have endured a disastrous start to the new season. They were thrashed 3-0 by Wits, but picked themselves up with a 2-1 home victory against a struggling Maritzburg United outfit.
Stars were at the receiving end again this past weekend as they crashed out of the MTN8 in painful style as Kaizer Chiefs demolished them 3-0 in the quarter-finals. Vilakazi wants to rub more salt in their wounds as Usuthu aim to make it two out of two at home this season after they downed Baroka 1-0 in their opening match at Umlazi.
Amazula pictured ahead of the Absa Premiership match against Baroka FC on the 04 August 2018. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
“I don’t have any emotions going into this game. We will wait for Sunday and see what it has in store for us, but we will try and win the match. We won’t underestimate them. You can’t judge teams by three games. We are expecting whatever they will throw at us.
Our main target is to win the game. We will prepare like we always prepare for any other PSL side,” Vilakazi who spent three seasons at Stars explained.
Vilakazi was part of the Stars team that captured the Nedbank Cup against Maritzburg at Cape Town Stadium last season, but those happy memories will not come in to picture for the 31-year-old.
“I’ve played football for so many years now. I have the experience. I’m used to facing my former teams. I’ve mastered that you have to focus where you are at that particular moment. You always have to fight for your current side,” he said.
Vilakazi joined Stars in 2015 during a very difficult time in his career. The Team of Choice didn’t renew his contract at the end of 2014-15 season.
“I had some good memories at Stars. They gave me the job when I was not working. I will always be forever grateful for the opportunity they afforded me.”