Orlando Pirates skipper Innocent Maela has spoken extensively about the hype around his teenage sensation teammate Relebohile Mofokeng, insisting the “humble” wunderkind is not yet the star people are making him out to be.
The 19-year-old Mofokeng, who was recently assessed by English Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been showing glimpses of brilliance in recent months. In the eyes of many Pirates supporters, the lad from Sharpeville has already arrived.
Some have even compared the gifted Mofokeng to the club’s greats such as Teko Modise and the late Gift Leremi. However, Maela believes Mofokeng still has a long way to go to be called a star, admiring his humility and the fact that he’s coachable.
“First and foremost Mofokeng is a very humble boy... he’s very grounded. When you talk to him, he listens and he listens to understand. So, I think that quality will take him very far. In terms of him being a star, well... he’s far from that, I’ll be honest with you,” Maela said during Bucs’ activations at Maponya Mall in Soweto last Friday.
“There’s still a lot of work that he needs to put in. He still has to improve on a lot of things and he acknowledges that. Yes, the fans love him but he needs to stay close to reality and focus on his game... and just block all the outside noise.”
Maela added that as senior players they always preach to Mofokeng that he must remain humble and focus on his job rather than paying too much attention to the hype around him.
“We tell him all the time that he must continue to stay grounded and work harder. He just got started now and he mustn’t think he has arrived,” the Pirates skipper noted.
Maela, who didn’t want to reveal what kind of an injury he’s been nursing since September, wants Bucs to be more consistent in the league in order to be among the title challengers in future. Bucs are already nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have two games in hand.
“If we can fix the matter of being inconsistent, then we will definitely get more wins and it will take us closer to challenging for the league and eventually winning the league,” Maela said.
Humble Mofokeng is not a star yet – Maela
Pirates captain says youngster must focus on his game, forget the hype
Image: Gallo Images/Darren Stewart
Orlando Pirates skipper Innocent Maela has spoken extensively about the hype around his teenage sensation teammate Relebohile Mofokeng, insisting the “humble” wunderkind is not yet the star people are making him out to be.
The 19-year-old Mofokeng, who was recently assessed by English Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been showing glimpses of brilliance in recent months. In the eyes of many Pirates supporters, the lad from Sharpeville has already arrived.
Some have even compared the gifted Mofokeng to the club’s greats such as Teko Modise and the late Gift Leremi. However, Maela believes Mofokeng still has a long way to go to be called a star, admiring his humility and the fact that he’s coachable.
“First and foremost Mofokeng is a very humble boy... he’s very grounded. When you talk to him, he listens and he listens to understand. So, I think that quality will take him very far. In terms of him being a star, well... he’s far from that, I’ll be honest with you,” Maela said during Bucs’ activations at Maponya Mall in Soweto last Friday.
“There’s still a lot of work that he needs to put in. He still has to improve on a lot of things and he acknowledges that. Yes, the fans love him but he needs to stay close to reality and focus on his game... and just block all the outside noise.”
Maela added that as senior players they always preach to Mofokeng that he must remain humble and focus on his job rather than paying too much attention to the hype around him.
“We tell him all the time that he must continue to stay grounded and work harder. He just got started now and he mustn’t think he has arrived,” the Pirates skipper noted.
Maela, who didn’t want to reveal what kind of an injury he’s been nursing since September, wants Bucs to be more consistent in the league in order to be among the title challengers in future. Bucs are already nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have two games in hand.
“If we can fix the matter of being inconsistent, then we will definitely get more wins and it will take us closer to challenging for the league and eventually winning the league,” Maela said.
Mokwena named Coach of the Month for August
It was incredible, says Infantino of his first Soweto derby
Nomvethe's foundation aims to bring back school tournaments
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos