Sometimes, being a rising star in football comes with a lot more pressure than it should.
William “Naughty” Mokoena, the experienced midfielder at Orlando Pirates, thinks the club’s young talents are carrying way too much weight on their shoulders right now.
Instead of a nurturing environment, these youngsters face intense scrutiny that could actually hurt their growth and confidence.
The Pressure Is Too Much for Emerging Talents
Mokoena is pretty clear that Orlando Pirates—and really all PSL clubs—need to ease up and provide more support for their young players.
The public and media tend to pile on expectations so quickly, it can become overwhelming.
He points out how some of these players haven’t even played a handful of professional matches before people start demanding national team call-ups or expecting them to perform flawlessly every game.
He gave a perfect example: “Take Mbokazi, for instance.
The guy has barely played 15 professional games, and already there are calls for him to be included in the Bafana Bafana AFCON squad. That’s huge pressure.
If he makes one mistake at that level, it could seriously damage his career.
We need to be gentler and protect these boys.”
The Role of Parents and Community in Supporting Young Players
Beyond the club and fans, Mokoena highlights how important it is for parents to step up too.
Many young players don’t live with their parents anymore, which means they might have too much freedom without guidance.
He believes parents shouldn’t be scared off just because their kids are now famous and earning good money.
“Your child is still your child. You know them best,” he said.
“When young players start to mess up, parents and the public are quick to point fingers elsewhere, forgetting their own responsibility.”
Former Players Could Offer Valuable Guidance
Mokoena also thinks clubs should bring in former players to mentor the youngsters.
Having been through the ups and downs themselves, ex-players understand the pressures better and can offer real advice.
He shared a personal story from watching the Nedbank Cup final recently: “I was with friends from my neighborhood, and it was painful hearing how some people were shouting and swearing at the young Mofokeng.
Thankfully, he couldn’t hear it, but that kind of pressure is just too much for a young player to handle.”
It’s a Challenge for All Young PSL Players
This isn’t just about Orlando Pirates. Mokoena is talking about all young footballers in the South African league who face constant pressure and criticism.
His message is clear: these players need more protection, patience, and support if they’re going to thrive in the long run.