Former Orlando Pirates star Steve Lekoelea has advised Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos not to turn the club's wonderkid Relebohile Mofokeng into another Andries Sebola.
On Saturday, it was the young Mofokeng's late goal that won the Buccaneers the Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Lekoelea, who like Mofokeng is also from Vaal, says his biggest fear is to see coaches reducing his minutes on the pitch.
READ | Broos reveals first impressions of Mofokeng at Bafana
Mofokeng is part of the Bafana team that is currently in camp preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
"This young boy is a good player, his time has finally come, as you can see he has made it into the national squad," Lekoelea tells KickOff.
"They must just give him a chance and not put him in the second half. Playing against a strong team like Nigeria can only make him strong.
"After what he did against Sundowns he deserves to start against Nigeria. He scored the winning goal that won him and his teammates a gold medal. That's very big.
"Coaches must not make him another Andries Sebola, a super sub, no. He could have scored two if he started against Sundowns.
"It doesn't matter if the Nigerians are big in stature, how tall is Lionel Messi? So Mofokeng will do well against Nigeria.
"When I was on my teen I used to dribble past big and tall players, I'm happy for Mofokeng.
"One thing is for sure, in Vaal, we've got talent. It's something we fine-tune from the grassroots. Vaal is similar to Brazil when it comes to talent. Look at the young Maseko from Sundowns, he is also from the Vaal.
"Mofokeng must continue doing his great job, he mustn't be like the other youngsters who are now big-headed."
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