Orlando Pirates starlet Mohau Nkota has credited one Orlando Pirates senior player for frequently offering a vote of confidence as the youngster continues to settle into the first team set-up.
Having impressed during his DStv Diski Challenge days, Nkota got his first taste of top-flight action in a 1-0 win over Richards Bay FC back in November 2024.
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He has gone on to make 23 more appearances in all competitions, with four goals and three assists next to his name.
For all the plaudits that the twinkle-toed winger has earned, he has admitted that he has relied heavily on the advice and encouragement of one teammates.
"There is someone that I speak to every day, who is Tshegofatso Mabasa. He came to me and told me that I should use the opportunity that I was given by the coach [Jose Riveiro] to be in the starting line-up," Nkota said, speaking to Pirates media.
"And before playing the game against AmaZulu, I phoned my mother to tell her that I'm in the starting line-up. She told me that I was going to score.
"So, when the moment came to score against AmaZulu, I remembered that in the DDC I used to score outside of the box.
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"So, after I made a turn outside the box against AmaZulu, I took the shot and saw it going to the top corner," reflects the lad from Kimberley.
Both he and Mabasa will be hoping to help Bucs secure a favourable result in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinal against MC Alger in Algeria on Tuesday.
Kick-off is at 21:00 (SA time).