Shaped by two giants: The impact of Pirates, Sundowns on Mabokgwane’s career

Having donned the jerseys of both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, Jackson Mabokgwane has revealed the crucial roles the two SA football giants played in shaping his career.

Mabokgwane is currently on the books of Richards Bay FC, as he penned a one-year deal with the club at the start of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season.

The 36-year-old spent the last six months of the previous campaign with Black Leopards in the Motsepe Foundation Championship before joining Richards Bay.

In his return to the top-flight, Mabokgwane has struggled to cement a regular starting berth at the KZN-based side after playing in six matches across all competitions.

The Natal Rich Boys have preferred Salim Magoola between the sticks. The Ugandan goal-minder has featured in 20 matches in all competitions.

MABOKGWANE RECALLS LESSONS FROM PIRATES AND SUNDOWNS

The Limpopo-born keeper says Sundowns set him up for a successful career while Pirates helped him mature.

“I played the most at Pirates so definitely I enjoyed myself and made greater memories at Pirates,” Mabokgwane told FARPost.

“Although at Sundowns, I was part of a team that won the league and trophies, I didn’t get to play enough. Of course, I was still young, and Sundowns was my first professional team, but for me, the five years I spent there were a learning curve, and they prepared me for a long and successful career.

“As mentioned, the difference for me personally was that one was an introduction to Pro football, and the other was practically playing and living my childhood dream of playing for the Pirates. It was a proud moment of my career, though, that I left Pirates just as I was maturing, and it was evident when I joined Bloemfontein Celtic.

“The difference other than that is zero. Both are top professionals, organised in all aspects, and both look after their players very well.”

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