Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates celebrated victory by winning the MTN8 championship this past weekend. | BackpagePix
Smiso Msomi
Teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng, fresh from Orlando Pirates’ MTN8 triumph, expresses his desire for the club to extend coach Jose Riveiro's contract.
As Riveiro’s remarkable success continues, Mofokeng reflects on the Spanish mentor’s impact on his career and the team's recent achievements This backing comes as no surprise as the rising star burst into the scene and quickly formed part of Riveiro’s remarkable success in just over two years in the camp of the Sea Robbers.
The Spanish-born mentor arrived on South African shores as an unknown entity in 2022 after penning a three-year deal with the Buccaneers and is now in what now seems like his final season with the club yet to announce an extension. The 49-year-old tactician has had a dreamy few years with Pirates and at the weekend became the first coach to win three MTN8 titles in South African football history.
Riveiro has captured an astonishing five trophies in the five finals he’s led his side to having also won back-to-back Nedbank Cup trophies placing himself amongst the best foreign coaches to ever coach in the domestic league.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Riveiro’s expertise has been 19-year-old Mofokeng who has blossomed into a gem in the local game.
"The Team that wins the #MTN8 🏆 3X- They keep the Trophy" #CHAMPIIIONS #threepeat 🏆🏆🏆
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 5, 2024
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/gCBVPGgiFW
Now a full Bafana international, Mofokeng told the media after the MTN8 final at the weekend that he wanted his love affair with the coach to continue past this season.
“The only important thing is we work and get along well together, so, I’ll be happy he stayed for an extended time. Staying with him is a good thing, he helps us with a lot of things. I’d love to stay with him for another season,” he said.
The School of Excellence product has developed a knack for the big moments after coming off the bench to grab a late assist and score the third goal of Pirates’ victory over Stellenbosch.
He is also one game away from a half century under Riveiro and has scored nine and assisted a further eight goals during that time.
When asked about his influence coming from the bench and the impact he consistently makes, Mofokeng refused to take all the credit and attributed those showing to a camaraderie with the Pirates squad.
“I feel like when I come on, I work for the team like the starters do. We all worked,” he said.
“Those who started are the ones who exhausted Stellenbosch so I can come in when things are much simpler. So, I come on to work, it’s not like they trust me off the bench because I have been starting other games, scoring, and assisting.
“But even from the bench, you have to be ready. And I want to thank my teammates for helping me score, Tshego (Tshegofatso Mabasa) is the one who assisted me,” he added.
Mofokeng will now join Bafana’s camp for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo. For Riveiro, a look into his side’s participation in the Betway Premiership and Carling knockout Cup when the international break ends on October 19.