Lebohang ‘Cheeseboy’ Mokoena, the former Orlando Pirates winger, has offered a heartfelt message of support to Tshepho Mashiloane following the defender’s loan move from the Buccaneers to Sekhukhune United.
Babina Noko unveiled the towering right-back on Tuesday. He completed his season-long loan move on Monday, September 22, securing the deal just before the transfer window deadline. Mashiloane arrived at Pirates in the off-season from Motsepe Foundation Championship side Baroka FC, amongst many other players who signed with the Sea Robbers.
The versatile defender, who can play as a right-back and centre-back, joined Pirates alongside big-name players such as Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis, Sipho Mbule, and Kamogelo Sebelebele.
In the early days of the current season, Mashiloane played two matches for the Soweto giants and delivered shaky performances, which drew criticism from the club’s demanding supporters.
Pirates have since sent the 23-year-old on loan to get regular playing minutes and much-needed experience in the top-flight. Interestingly, Sekhukhune wanted to sign Mashiloane before they were beaten to his signature by Pirates.
WHAT ‘CHEESEBOY’ MOKOENA SAID TO TSHEPHO MASHILOANE
‘Cheeseboy’ Mokoena has sent words of encouragement to Mashiloane, assuring him that he’s good enough and the Buccaneers didn’t sign him by mistake.
“At the beginning of the season, after the two games that Mashiloane played, a lot was said and I also commented about him to lift his socks,” Mokoena said on SoccerBeat.
“Look, this is just a message to him. ‘Pirates didn’t sign you by mistake; they signed you because you are a quality player. Additionally, the people who support and love the club want to see their players doing well and contributing to the club.
“‘So with all the criticism of you not doing well at that time, it happens, and it’s about you taking all of that, turning it into positivity because the right-back position, the coach [Abdeslam Ouaddou] is always giving players a chance. There’s Deano Van Rooyen, [Thabiso] Lebitso, and him while he was there. So he must just hang in there, be patient, and remember why Orlando Pirates signed you’.”
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