As the dust settles on the brouhaha caused by his comments concerning Orlando Pirates' jersey number 10, South African football legend Jomo Sono has now turned his attention to rising star Relebohile Mofokeng, revealing how he needs to be protected.
Mofokeng came on as a second-half substitute against South Sudan on Tuesday afternoon as Bafana Bafana defeated The Bright Stars 3-2 in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
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It was a third appearance on the international stage for the 19-year-old, who earned his first senior national team cap in the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in July.
For those who have been following the teen's progress, his meteoric rise has been anything but a surprise.
Mofokeng proved to be one of The Buccaneers' most important players last season, zig-zagging past more established opposition fullbacks with the ease of a seasoned pro.
He contributed four goals and seven assists in his second season of top-flight football and walked away with a deserved DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season accolade for his stellar efforts.
Speaking at the launch of Jomo Cosmos' new shirt sponsor Lucas Batteries, Sono acknowledged that Mofokeng is talented and urged for more protection for the former DStv Diski Challenge star.
'Bra J', as he is affectionately known in football circles, made reference to Pirates' MTN8 semi-final clash against Cape Town City, where Mofokeng scored, to drive his point home.
"To be honest, he is highly talented. He needs to be protected," said the man considered one of the greatest to have worn the famous Black and White strip.
"I think the coach at Orlando Pirates [Jose Riveiro] is doing a good job. Twice, I've seen him pull him off because the kid was starting to struggle.
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"When a kid like him starts to struggle, you take him out. That is how to protect and build him so that [in the] next game he comes in. [Thamsanqa] Mkhize was physically a bit stronger for him."
Meanwhile, Mofokeng will look to transfer his Bafana form back to club football as the Soweto giants take on Jwaneng Galaxy in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round away in Botswana on Saturday.