Following Evidence Makgopa’s impressive performances at the 2023 AFCON, his club coach, Jose Riveiro, has made a bold statement, claiming the Orlando Pirates striker is no longer the same player.
Makgopa impressed during the recent continental showpiece held in Ivory Coast, where the host nation emerged victorious.
The Pirates striker played a crucial role in Bafana Bafana’s AFCON success. South Africa walked away with the bronze medal after beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the third-place playoff encounter.
Despite facing some criticism before the tournament, Makgopa contributed to South Africa’s AFCON campaign with one goal and one assist.
This season in the domestic league, the 23-year-old has already netted four goals in 23 matches across all competitions for the Soweto giants.
The Limpopo-born target man went straight to Riveiro’s starting eleven against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, as the DStv Premiership returned this weekend. Makgopa played 68 minutes and put in a decent shift as the Pirates played to a 1-1 stalemate against Masandawana at the packed Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
WHAT RIVEIRO SAID ABOUT MAKGOPA’S AFTER AFCON EXPERIENCE
The Spanish mentor, Riveiro, has now hailed Makgopa, admitting that the attacker has gained a lot of experience from the AFCON tournament.
“Absolutely, but I’m not saying this because I know the differences already, but obviously, he’s not the same player anymore [like before AFCON],” said Riveiro in Pretoria.
“He was in a top continental tournament, competing with many players who are playing for top sides in Europe. He spent seven weeks camping with his exceptional [Bafana] teammates around him.
“So, all of those experiences obviously will play a big role in Evidence’s career. He finally got the opportunity that probably we were looking for since he signed for Pirates.
“One year ago, for many reasons, it was impossible and not because he didn’t try. Like I explained it many times, he didn’t start the season with the same opportunity as everybody else. But, now it’s his moment, and I think he’s using his moment very well.”
By Clifton Mabasa
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