Mofokeng’s next Pirates chapter hinted at by coach

Orlando Pirates are preparing to face Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. Victory could strengthen their push at the top of the Betway Premiership standings.

A lot of that belief is coming from the form of Relebohile Mofokeng, who has become one of the most important players in the second half of the campaign.

ORLANDO PIRATES SEE LEADER IN MOFOKENG

Assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi believes Mofokeng’s rise is not by chance, pointing to the work the player puts in behind the scenes.

The 21-year-old has been directly involved in 10 goals in the last five matches, helping Orlando Pirates stay in the title conversation alongside Mamelodi Sundowns.

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“I think it’s a number of factors,” said Ncikazi. “One, the number of hours that are invested in their extra work, the number of preparation that he goes through, not only in the field, the positional changes.

“If you see Rele, when he started, he was only playing on the left. Now he can play throughout any positions out of the three 10s.

“I also think the finer details of how we approach matches. This is not how we used to approach other matches.

“How quickly we get into the opponent’s half, how do we free him? So, it’s all those details and a lot of preparation but also his own personal preparation,” the Orlando Pirates mentor added.

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MANDLA NCIKAZI BACKS CAPTAINCY POTENTIAL

Ncikazi went further and suggested that Mofokeng already shows signs of leadership beyond his age. “The boy (Mofokeng) is so mature for a youngster, you wouldn’t think somebody his age,” Ncikazi added.

“If it wasn’t for any other thing you can even give him the responsibility of a captain, although this one [Nkosinathi Sibisi] is doing so well. So, he’s in that mode.

“That is a number of factors, but it’s a lot of hard work that goes through it in the field of play and outside the field of play,” Ncikazi added.