Rakhale has been involved in eight of the nine matches that the Buccaneers have played in continental games this year, starting the last four with a return of two goals to his name.
The 25-year-old’s impact at Pirates has expanded more in the group stages where he has started all three games, playing the full game against AC Leopards and CS Sfaxien while he was kept on the field for 73 minutes against Zamalek.
READ: Rakhale vows to stay grounded
How beneficial has the experience of playing in Africa been for him with regards to his growth as a player?
“Being disciplined on the field, especially tactically, has helped me a lot. I am now able to track back and then attack at the same time. The games we play there [in Africa] are different and need you to be always united because the opposition is quality. So I now know very well what it means to be disciplined,” Rakhale says.
True to his word, Rakhale gave a rare workaholic showing against CS Sfaxien by frequently dropping down into his own half to help the team maintain its shape when under siege, proving that his game is not all about skill and going forward.
He capped off his performance in Sfax by scoring the single goal that made the difference.
“It is a learning curve for me to be playing in Africa and I am glad that I have experienced players who have played there before that have been helping me,” he adds.
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The exciting midfielder has been voted into the starting lineup for Saturday’s Carling Black Label Cup contest against Kaizer Chiefs and will be looking forward to keeping the fans on their feet while also making sure that he sticks to Eric Tinkler’s instructions.
“I guess the fans like what they have seen of me so far and I should say that I am happy that I will start the game, and I appreciate what they did for me by voting for me,” Rakhale says.
“My coach is always motivating me by encouraging me all the time. He is giving me the will to go forward by always telling me to work on my strengths and says I should do it to the benefit of the team.”