The SA youngster that inspired Mofokeng and Campbell to elevate their game

Rising football stars Relebohile Mofokeng and Shandre Campbell have singled out a South African youngster they drew inspiration from to elevate their game.

Last season, Mofokeng and Campbell were two of the young talents that impressed in the SA top-flight for their respective teams.

For Orlando Pirates, Mofokeng was a key player. The 19-year-old made 38 appearances in all competitions; he racked up five goals and provided six assists in all competitions. In the PSL awards, he won two accolades: the DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season award and the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player award.

On the other hand, Campbell was a star for SuperSport United. The SA Under-20 attacker played 30 matches in all competitions, hitting the net five times and grabbing six assists. For his consistent displays, the 19-year-old was quickly snapped by Belgian giants Club Brugge. He will play for the academy side, NXT, in the Challenger Pro League, Belgium’s second division.

RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG AND SHANDRE CAMPBELL DREW INSPIRATION FROM THAPELO MASEKO

The duo told SuperSportTV that they drew inspiration from Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Thapelo Maseko. The 20-year-old defied all odds and impressed when he was promoted to SuperSport United’s first team in the 2021/22 season before sealing a move to Sundowns.

“When I was in the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC], I knew I was going to go to the first team. He [Maseko] wasn’t supposed to leave; I was supposed to be under his wing. I got thrown in the deep lane, I would just try to apply what he does, but not exactly everyone has different styles,” said Campbell.

“But he inspired me to play like that; since DDC, he used to come down, and I would be on the bench. I didn’t take it as a negative, it was a positive, so when I do play when he goes up [senior team], I can do what he does or try.

As for Mofokeng he was impressed by how fast Maseko made it to the top-flight and in the senior national team as a youngster.

“I also got inspired by him after two years there [SuperSport senior team], after one-year senior national team. It motivated me. I used to talk to him, and he would say, ‘Keep on working, boy’,” said Mofokeng.

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