‘He needs to be protected’: Jomo Sono on Pirates star
Legendary Jomo Sono has singled out an Orlando Pirates star, whom he considers exceptionally talented, insisting he needs to be protected.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a sponsorship launch in which Lucas Batteries was unveiled as a new partner for Jomo Cosmos ahead of the 2024/25 ABC Motsepe League season.
The Pirates legend firmly believes Relebohile Mofokeng could be a once-in-a-generation talent whose growth and development must be carefully nurtured.
Mofokeng has been on an incessant rise since his breakout at 17. Now, with two impressive seasons behind him, the teenage sensation has cemented his place as one of the Buccaneers’ top players and even earned a call-up to the national team.
Needing an equaliser against Uganda on Friday, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos threw him into the fray. He was influential as Bafana grabbed a late equaliser in the opening AFCON 2025 qualifier played at the Orlando Stadium.
WHAT JOMO SONO SAID ABOUT RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG
“To be honest, he (Mofokeng) is highly talented; he needs to be protected,” the Jomo Cosmos founder said. 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”.
‘Bra J’ was referring to the recent MTN8 semi-final against Cape Town City. “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 isn’t new to the big stage. He’s already proven himself for the Buccaneers, even scoring in last season’s Nedbank Cup final against Sundowns.
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