Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi says there are several factors owed to Relebohile Mofokeng’s transformation this season but mainly hard work and support.
Mofokeng has been sensational since his promotion to the first team in 2024, and in this current campaign especially the second round of the term, he has elevated his game.
- ALSO READ: Ncikazi Gives Pirates Injury Update Ahead Of Derby
- Appollis On Footballer Of The Season Award
The 21-year-old has scored 10 goals and has seven assists this season in his 22 league appearances, sitting in third spot on the current top goal scorer charts. The 10 goals include his first professional hat-trick while he’s also been voted Player of the Month in the last two months.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Betway Premiership Soweto derby on Sunday, Ncikazi mentioned how the team prepares him, the player’s personal preparation and his versatility among some of the factors.
The coach went on to say Mofokeng could easily be the captain of the side if the incumbent wasn’t doing well.
“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 boy is so mature for a youngster, you wouldn’t think somebody his age. 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.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
