Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has praised the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng for stepping up and showing leadership this season.
Mokfokeng, 19, has scored four goals with six assists in 32 appearances in what’s his first full season in the senior team at Pirates.
His form has seen him emerge as a contender for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Young Player of the Season, while midfielder, Thalente Mbatha, a surprise January signing on loan from SuperSport United has also been a key figure with the club at the age of 24.
Patrick Maswanganyi, 26, is now also in his first full season in the DStv Premiership with Pirates, having joined SuperSport mid-way through the season after several years in the lower leagues in Portugal.
But these inexperienced players, for a lack of a better description, has grown in leaps and bounds as the season progressed as Riveiro’s charges secured five consecutive wins for the first time since his arrival.
“Not only Rele [has grown], if you look at the team, every individual, even players that are not part of the match day squad, the players not travelling with the team,” Maela said.
“It’s because of the environment the team has created for each and everyone, the way we train, the way we plan and set up, it gives us the freedom and opportunity for us to go there and perform to the best of our ability within the game plan.
“So I have to give credit to how we train, the environment we have within the changing room, how we prepare for matches but yeah – as senior players we try to guide as best we can, we try to help.
“But even the youngsters now, they are taking leadership roles which is very encouraging to see and we say… they must continue working hard, remain humble and they must continue respecting the game each and every day.”
Pirates take on Chippa United on Saturday afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Stadium (15h00).
