Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos continues to back Orlando Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng, despite the young player experiencing a recent dip in form.
The 20-year-old has been selected for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, showing Broos’ unwavering confidence in him.
Broos Discusses Mofokeng’s Progress and Challenges
Broos acknowledged that while Mofokeng has had a slight drop in performance, it’s natural for a player of his age and experience.
“He’s become a very good player, but everyone has high expectations for him.
He’s only 20, and he’s been playing for just a full year at a big club like Pirates, so it’s normal for his form to fluctuate,” Broos explained.
The coach made it clear that even though Mofokeng’s level has dipped, he will continue to support him. “I can’t drop him just because his level is a bit lower now.
He has to work through this, and it’s up to him to get back to his best,” Broos added.
According to Broos, expectations around Mofokeng have increased now that Orlando Pirates is performing at a higher level.
Jose Riveiro Talks About Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s Bright Future at Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has also spoken about another young talent, central defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has been impressing with his performances.
At just 19 years old, Mbokazi is considered one of the most exciting prospects at the club.
Riveiro Calls for Patience with Mbokazi
Riveiro acknowledged that Mbokazi’s rise is drawing significant attention, but urged caution as the young player continues to develop.
“I know he’s attracting a lot of attention because he’s the new kid on the block, and he’s been performing well, but we need to be patient with him,” Riveiro said.
The coach stressed that the young defender is just starting his career in professional football, and there will be ups and downs.
“We all need to be patient, including the fans, because this is an interesting prospect for the future,” Riveiro concluded, highlighting that patience will be key to Mbokazi’s development.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Miguel Cardoso Questions Scheduling of Orlando Pirates Match
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has raised concerns over the scheduling of his team’s match against Orlando Pirates, which is set to take place on Sunday.
With Bafana Bafana’s next camp beginning on Sunday, Cardoso believes the timing of the match doesn’t give players enough time to rest before heading into international duty.
Cardoso Emphasizes the Importance of Player Rest
Cardoso expressed his dissatisfaction with the Sunday fixture, arguing that players won’t have sufficient time to rest before joining the national team.
“The match should have been scheduled for Saturday so that players could have one day to rest before going to the national team,” Cardoso said.
He further explained that players are human beings who need time for rest and recovery, and not just machines expected to perform at peak levels without adequate rest.
“Players have families, social lives, and their physicality should be respected.
We sometimes demand performances from players when they are exhausted, which can affect their ability to perform at their best,” Cardoso added.