Zwane says Orlando Pirates star is the best in SA
As far as the balance of votes, Mamelodi Sundowns superstar Lucas Ribeiro still has a slight edge over Mofokeng. According to AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane, Mofokeng has been very special for carrying a big club like Orlando Pirates at the age of 20.
The Sharpville-born player, who joined the Sea Robbers at the age of 17 from the School of Excellence, grabbed 12 goals and laid 14 assists in 47 matches.
'I don't want to sound controversial, but I think you look at Rele – I think he carried Orlando Pirates,' Zwane said via iDiski Times . Relebohile Mofokeng in action for Orlando Pirates against Cape Town City FC at the DHL Stadium. Image: @safootclassics/X
'But Rele as a youngster doing what he's done this past season, carrying a giant on his shoulder, I think it was something else, it was amazing.
'We need players like him, so others see him performing at this level. And now he's definitely going to go to the World Cup – I don't want people to say I'm picking him; I'm not the national coach. But looking at how coach Broos does, and he integrated to the senior national team,' Zwane added on the Orlando Pirates attacker.
'For him it was a big jump because he never played for the U20, maybe the previous players, but because he's an exceptional talent. There is no doubt about he's gonna make AFCON and the World Cup.
'Also, credit must be given to their coaches – all those coaches from School of Excellence, Orlando Pirates, Jose [Riveiro], Duku Duku Makhanya, who spotted the talent and made life easy for the first team as well to get players promoted,' Zwane added.
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