Magesi FC defender John Mokone has revealed how a coincidental change of position by his then-coach Benson Mhlongo has also helped him get a big break in the Betway Premiership.
Mokone has been one of the star performers at the Magesi side that was also crowned champions of the Carling Knockout Cup after beating Mamelodi Sundowns in the final..
The defender initially joined Magesi in 2018 when they were playing in the SAFA ABC Motsepe League. It was during one of the off-season tournaments that he caught the eye of former Orlando Pirates defender, Mhlongo.
At the time, Mhlongo was the head coach of Mpumalanga side, Mbombela City Lads.
MAGESI FC LEFT-BACK NARRATES HOW BENSON MHLONGO CONVERTED HIM FROM HIS OLD POSITION
“The time he scouted me, I was playing as a winger. So there was a situation where the regular left-back had to further his studies, and there was no one to play at the position,” Mokone explained to FARPost.
“That’s when I started playing at left-back. His advice was that he would like to see me play in that position because there are not many left-backs in the country.
“So after trying it, I realised that I enjoy the position until now when I came back to Magesi playing in the same position.”
JOHN MOKONE MAKES HIS MARK ON HIS DEBUT BETWAY PREMIERSHIP SEASON
Mokone returned to the club the same season that they gained promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. He has become a key figure for Magesi during both Clinton Larsen’s and Owen Da Gama’s tenures
The 26-year-old was a standout performer this past Betway Premiership season, earning two Man of the Match awards. Furthermore, Mokone proved his attacking prowess by registering four assists, placing him alongside AmaZulu FC’s Riaan Hanamub as the league’s leading defenders for assists in the 2024/25 season.
“Obviously, this is my first season playing in the Betway Premiership, and I managed to play as many games as I could. Even though it was tough at the beginning because the results were not coming as we wished, personally, I think I’ve adjusted well as an inexperienced player.
“I think as a player, when you get that Man of the Match award, it really motivates a lot and can give you the confidence that you can win more awards because it really shows that your work is being noticed.”
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