Orlando Pirates midfield enforcer Makhehleni Makhaula is not surprised that teenage talent Relebohile Mofokeng has been compared to Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal, describing him as “a boy with a big heart”.
Mofokeng, 19, enjoyed a successful debut season with the first team on the back of clinching the Nedbank Cup, receiving a call up to Bafana Bafana, being named the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament, and the cherry on top being crowned as PSL Young Player of the Season.
The former AmaZulu hardman, in his candid chat with iDiski Times senior writer, Velile Mnyandu, in the latest edition, 165, has already tipped Mofokeng to carry the team when the chips are down, touting him as the club’s future captain.
- ALSO READ: Tso Predicts 2024/25 Betway Prem Winners, Downs Not In Top 3
- Khanye Predicts 2024/25 League Winners
“Yeah, I can say that [Yamal comparison],” Makhaula told iDiski Times.
“Because [when] Rele came in at Pirates there was [Thembinkosi] Lorch but you can see that he can carry this team.
“He can be the captain and carry us, senior guys, because when chips are down you just look at Rele like Rele ‘what’s going on’? And he will tell you ‘Grootman’ (Big Man) relax, everything is going to be fine’. Then you know we are going to end well.”
Makhaula further affirmed that a lot will be expected from the Pirates youngster after a stellar ending to the previous term.
“Yoh! Difficult question but I think it’s a really big season for him because at the end of last season they were already planning for him,” he added.
“So I think this season is going to be a difficult season because everyone is going to focus on him. That’s why I’m saying that the Nkotas and the other youngsters can maybe get that pressure from Rele to go down.
“It’s going to be hard but he is a boy with a big heart and I know that when he is on the field he makes magic. Even if you can close him, I don’t know how many times I have seen especially in Spain, he was…I don’t even know how to say it. I mean he is young but he’s on another level let’s be honest.”
