Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has praised the club’s youth development following the emergence of talents such as Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota.
Mofokeng, aged just 20, is currently in his third season with the first team, and has already become a key player, earning rave reviews and a number of call ups to the senior national team. He’s also attracted interest from Europe, and spent some time on trial with Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers last season.
Meanwhile, Nkota, also 20, has also impressed in the times he’s been given some game time, and has found the back of the net four times already.
“A lot of credit must go to the academy, the previous coaches that have worked with them, throughout, but yeah as an individual, you have to give credit to the guys,” Maela was quoted by iDiskiTimes on Friday.
“Not only the youngsters but everyone. The humility that we have within the squad, it’s unbelievable and it helps us a lot to grasp new information, and new tactics and for the players to be coachable, it helps.
“We believe if we train well, work hard and you are good enough, then you deserve to play – we wish them the best of luck, we are here to support them and they should keep going you know, keep growing, keep their feet on the ground.
“They need to keep improving, getting better and better, keep being humble – but yeah a lot of credit needs to go to the academy where they come from, the coaches that work with them, we wish they can keep going like that and keep improving.”
Meanwhile, another South African youngster who has impressed recently is Cape Town City’s Emile Witbooi.
The 16-year-old Witbooi, son of former Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City star Surprise Ralani, is currently in England where he is undergoing a trial with Premier League giants Chelsea. According to reports, Premier League champions Manchester City are also keeping tabs on the youngster.
IOL Sport