Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro believes that special talent Relebohile Mofokeng is on the right track in terms of his professional football conduct despite his tender age.
Mofokeng turned 20 last month and has been one of Pirates’ standout players this campaign having racked up nine contributions towards goal (4 goals and 5 assists across all competitions) in 15 outings.
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On Tuesday evening, Riveiro celebrated a special milestone when he reached 100 matches since joining the Soweto giants two years as they narrowly beat Richards Bay 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership standings to six points over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Spanish mentor admitted that he does not like talking about individuals in the team as he prefers a collective performance assessment but made an exception regardless of how ‘Rele’ has been.
“I think no one is anymore surprised about Relebohile’s performances,” Riveiro told the media.
“He’s in a good moment like the rest of the team. They are confident right now to play their football, to express themselves, and when you have such a talent, you know inside you.
“In the end as coaches we provide to the players is structure, is the right space for them to express themselves, to execute, show their skills.
“The confidence for the players is to consistently play, to give them responsibilities more than nice words.
“When they play or they don’t play, but in our case, every player upfront in this team is a really talent player with capacity to do and to create a lot of problems to the opponent.
“Rele is one of the cases. And how far? 19, 20, 21, 18, 17 – With that level of talent the future belongs to you.
“It’s about many things but the young players must control what they can control which is the things that they do.
“How professionals and how much dedication they having in their lives because nowadays in modern football, in a certain level you need to be a professional football player 24 hours per day.
“Which is not enough with the time that they spent with us. It goes beyond.
“And I think that’s one crucial parts for these young talents to take it really serious. The player that you mention [Mofokeng] is one of them.
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“He’s doing everything in order to make it happen, it’s about timing opportunity, have a pinch of luck also in your career.
“But in the end, the football will put you in the place that you deserve,” Riveiro further added.
