Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates defender Benson Mhlongo says Pirates’ starlets Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Relebohile Mofokeng need to be protected from scammers, as they are still young and quickly rising to fame.
The two are Pirates DDC graduates, with Mbokazi being promoted in January this year and already making a massive impact as a solid defender who was handed captaincy duties this season.
Meanwhile, Mofokeng has played a big role in the side’s domestic cup successes in the last two seasons and he is already attracting attention from abroad, while he has also shown his importance for the senior national team that is currently playing the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Mhlongo spoke to iDiski Times senior writer Matshelane Mamabolo in edition 219 of the newspaper, where he highlighted some of the things that could distract the youngsters, while adding that they need someone from within the team to look out for them.
“The team has got complicated players,” Mhlongo told IDiski Times.
“You need someone to take care of Mofokeng and Mbokazi. As much as they are coming up, you need someone to take care of them. They should not be caught wanting to do things that they’re not supposed to do off the field. That’s very crucial. You become famous overnight, and these ones are big already.
“A lot of scammers will come to their doorsteps with ladies and invitations to nightclubs where everything is for free. That’s what happens. You get things for free and you get tempted to enjoy the outside life.
“But now, if you have someone within – as a teammate – who has got capabilities of holding and nurturing these boys, they’ll be afraid to do those things.”
You can read Mhlongo’s full interview with Mamabolo in edition 219 when you subscribe to IDiski Times media WhatsApp number for FREE.
