Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates winger Jabu Mahlangu has extended his words of advice to in-form star player Relebohile Mofokeng.
Mofokeng has been in the news a lot lately for all the right reasons after scoring five goals in two matches as well as bagging back-to-back Man of the Match accolades.
The 21-year-old has also been voted as the Betway Premiership Player of the Month for February and March, which has seen him peak at the right time as they chase for the league title which is now a two-horse race with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mofokeng also took his tally for the current campaign to nine league goals with five assists in 20 outings.
An online debate has since ensued among football supporters and fans alike since retired former Bucs midfield maestro Andile Jali gave his take on ‘President Yama 2k’ and the season he’s having as well as comparisons to veteran attacker Themba Zwane, with ‘AJ15’ getting backlash for some of his comments.
Mahlangu has weighed in on the Mofokeng conversation, reserving special praise for the Bafana Bafana international as well as how the player should not be deterred by distractions coming from the outside.
“I want to say something that I see right now that could be a danger to our current players,” Mahlangu said on his Instagram account.
“The manner in which the fans are fighting; the way they are swearing at each other.
“Gents, I plead with you. I’m not God, I’m not perfect and it’s not like I think I’m acting any better.
“But you guys are disrespecting each other when talking about the game of football, youngsters swearing at elders, that’s not respect.
“Back then, fans from Pirates, Chiefs, Sundowns, Swallows, Cosmos or Swallows would debate without getting personal and swearing at each other
“Now there’s swearing at each other with others even saying the f* word simply because the other has a different opinion. That really scares me.
“To you, Rele, boy, you’re a star, you have a great future my boy. This is my advice to you. You have to surpass all of us, including the Steve Lekoeleas and whoever; you must achieve more than us, you have the talent to do that my boy.”
The former SuperSport United midfielder further cautioned ‘Rele’ not to be caught up in societal pressure, urging him to stay grounded and block out negativities.
“I’m humbly asking you to not listen to people who try and compare you with whoever because it can be danger to your career. Don’t listen to that,” he added.
“I know you’re a very humble boy. Take one day at a time, one training, game at a time. Compete with yourself so that you can improve.
“I can see you’re on the right track, you’re doing that very well. Now, the noise, I’m pleading with you don’t listen to the noise because is too much.
“Stay focused boy and don’t listen to the noise because it can destroy you if you pay attention to it. I know that I’ve seen you, I don’t know you personally, but I’ve heard from people close to you that you are a very humble boy, and I can see with your personality that you are very humble.
“So, I’m saying, keep it up boy. You’ve got all the talent to be one of the greatest players in Africa and the world. I don’t count South Africa.
“But the way you have such amazing talent, we love you and I wish for God to protect you. I wish for you to stay injury-free and I wish you next season to go and play in Europe and I wish you well in all your future endeavours.
“And good luck for all the upcoming games as a Pirates and Bafana Bafana. Keep it well.”
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