Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro says they are grateful to have a model professional like Evidence Makgopa in their squad.
Makgopa, 24, has scored five goals in 10 games, with eight of those 10 games coming from the bench as Tshegofatso Mabasa has been regular in the starting line-up.
He netted the opening goal after two minutes in their recent 2-0 win over SuperSport United which made it four wins from their opening four league games, and earned special praise from Riveiro.
“He’s been always there [high in confidence] but he’s competing with Mabasa, Radiopane for the position, he’s a boy that’s working so hard, always ready to help when he gets one minute, he gives you everything in that minute,” Riveiro said.
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“He gives you everything if he gets 10 minutes, he is an example for everybody because we’re talking about a player that… as you said, he performed in an excellent way in a tournament like AFCON.
“Now that he’s going through a different period, most of the time on the bench, he’s been an example for everyone around, what it means to be a professional, that’s why he managed to perform [against SuperSport] in the level that he did because he’s working hard.
“He’s preparing himself, his always helping everyone around in and out of the pitch. But that’s Evidence, a very [unselfish] player and we’re so grateful to have him in the squad.”
The towering striker will be aiming to retain his place in the starting line-up when Pirates host AmaZulu on Friday evening at Orlando Stadium (19h30).
