Benedict Vilakazi (soccer)
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| Benedict Vilakazi | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Benedict Bongani Vilakazi | |
| Date of birth | August 09, 1982 (age 24) | |
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Height | 1.60m | |
| Nickname | Tso, Little Napoleon | |
| Playing position | midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Orlando Pirates | |
| Number | 15 | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| Orlando Pirates | ? (?) |
|
| National team2 | ||
| 2002- | South Africa | 28 (2) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Benedict Vilakazi (born August 9, 1982) is a football (soccer) player from South Africa who plays in central midfield for South African club side Orlando Pirates. He has been noted as one of the smallest current professional international footballers (standing at a mere 1.60m) but makes up for this with a strong physical presence.
Vilakazi, who has been the subject of interest from clubs such as Porto and Lokeren, and played for South Africa at the 2006 African Nations Cup in Egypt. His professional career is however rocked by sex scandals with juveniles including being dragged to court on allegation of statuatory rape. He was however acquitted of the charge as it was allegedly that it was with consent. The complaint has since given birth to his son. He publicly apologise to the soccer fans after his acquital. The sex scandal also prohibited him to go through with his move to the Swedish side Djurgården that was supposed to go through right before the scandal hit.
[edit] Trivia
He was noted as well for being one of the best young players in the computer game Football Manager 2005. He and compatriot Lebohang Mokoena were available for relatively small fees from the club they are playing for, Orlando Pirates.
