Golden Arrows coach Mabhuti Khenyeza has broken his silence on the sudden departure of assistant coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi, who recently jumped ship to join Chippa United.
The exodus of Vilakazi from Arrows raised eyebrows after he handed a resignation letter to his former bosses.
His departure was deemed unprecedented because at the time of his exit, Abafana Bes’thende were inside the top four position.
They are currently sitting on number two on the DStv Premiership log standings.
Without beating around the bush, Khenyeza said he respects the decision made by his former “partner in crime”, but noted that football is bigger than him.
“I think football is bigger than everyone, we need to understand that,” Khenyeza told Sunday World during the Carling Black Label Knockout launch on Tuesday.
“I respect him as a coach and I benefitted a lot from working with him, but I still say, football is bigger than everyone.
“For an example, Tottenham [Hotspur] lost Harry Kane but the team is still performing, their goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is also not there anymore, but the team is playing well.
“Which takes you back to my point that football is bigger than everyone – as long as you apply yourself with the right mentality and be positive, you can achieve anything.”
The former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns talisman admitted that he was not aware that Vilakazi wanted to leave the club, saying his resignation came as a shock.
“I didn’t know about it [his resignation],” he said.
“But it was entirely up to him because other things are confidential. When we work, we work based on football-related things, not other personal things. I respect his decision.”
With the Fifa international break currently in full swing, Arrows will have ample time to prepare for their crucial encounter against Kaizer Chiefs at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal on October 28.
