The Bucs legend is happy that the teen sensation is being protected by his coach
Orlando Pirates legend Jomo Sono feels coach Jose Riveiro is handling Relebohile Mofokeng well at the club.
Sono is among those impressed by the highly talented winger and feels he needs to be protected from a backlash of fans as well as burnout.
The Jomo Cosmos founder and chairman was impressed by how Riveiro handled Mofokeng during the MTN8 semi-final first leg against Cape Town City in which the 19-year-old started and scored before he struggled at the end, after which he was taken off.
Should Orlando Pirates reduce Rele’s minutes?
“To be honest, he (Mofokeng) is highly talented; he needs to be protected,” said Sono, as per FARPost.
“I think the coach at Orlando Pirates is doing a good job. Twice, I’ve seen him pull him off because the kid was starting to struggle.
“When a kid like him starts to struggle, you take him out; that is how to protect and build him so that next game he comes in. [Thami] Mkhize was physically a bit stronger for him.
Mofokeng’s star has been shining since his emergence
“Even though he scored, it was a bit difficult for him. After scoring that goal, he could not pass through him, he was shoving him all over the place, and he was tackling him. But he has got a bright future, and he needs to be protected.”
Mofokeng has become a key player for Pirates since he burst onto the scene two years ago but Riveiro has been managing his minutes carefully.
The winger is currently on international duty with Bafana Bafana ahead of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan.
