Benedict Vilakazi opens up on personal transition from player to coach

Now 41, the ex-Bafana Bafana international has been working his way up from the amateur ranks and looking to catch his big break in the Premier Soccer League.

Vilakazi was last month announced as one of the 12 participants in a Betway initiative for retired athletes, and gave a progress update. 

"It's not an easy thing. From where I am now to go forward, it's a relief for me to be part of the Betway 12th man [initiative] because there are skills that, as a coach, you need," said Vilakazi.

"I always say to players, you need to be strong here in your mind, but now, as a coach, I need to equip myself so that I can help those young boys become strong in their minds."

The selected dozen have already been attending seminars since the announcement, and Vilakazi adds that his main aim is to find the next big star. 

"You need to equip yourself so that you can play a role, not only being a coach, but also be a father figure, a brother, and to be a friend also," he added.

"You're not going to be able to do that if you're not going to equip yourself, so I see myself in a very good space now with Betway, to help me equip myself and become ready to go back to eKasi and help the young ones develop and be better than me.

"Because my dream is to develop a player that will be better than I was as a player."

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