Imagine you’re on the sidelines of a high-stakes soccer game, the energy in the crowd is electric, and everyone is on their feet.
That’s the kind of atmosphere where Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos decided to introduce 19-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng to the world of international football.
This strategic move has earned praise from none other than former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker, Marks Maponyane.
Earlier this month, Mofokeng made his national team debut against Zimbabwe.
With Bafana Bafana leading 3-1, Broos brought Mofokeng onto the field in the final minutes, much to the delight of the Bloemfontein crowd.
Since his debut for the Pirates at just 17, Mofokeng has been a rising star, captivating fans with his talent.
Maponyane, who has experienced the pressure of playing for both Chiefs and Pirates, praised Broos for his timing in introducing the young talent.
He emphasized the importance of bringing in a young player when the team is already winning.
“Yes, the youngster is talented, but when do you play him? You play him when the team is winning.
Don’t kill his confidence by expecting him to deliver results under pressure,” Maponyane told KickOff.
Maponyane drew from his own experiences, recalling how being introduced in a winning team can significantly boost a young player’s confidence.
“Some of us were thrown into the deep end at the age of 18, coming off the bench in a winning team.
That’s when you build confidence,” he said.
He stressed that young players shouldn’t be burdened with the expectation to deliver results immediately, as it can be detrimental to their growth.
Rising Stars: Mofokeng and Duba
Mofokeng isn’t the only young player making waves.
Unlike Kaizer Chiefs’ Wandisile Duba, who made a name for himself with a stunning goal against Golden Arrows, Mofokeng has already been influential in significant matches for Pirates.
He scored the winning goal in the Buccaneers’ 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final.
Along with Duba and another young talent, Mfundo Vilakazi, these teenagers represent the promising future of South African football.
Maponyane’s words underscore the importance of nurturing young talent carefully, ensuring they have the confidence and support needed to shine on the big stage.
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