After Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi copped criticism for showboating, Jabu Mahlangu has opened up on why his young teammate Relebohile Mofokeng has the licence to do the same thing.
Maswanganyi divided opinion in the country, on whether showboating still has a place in the modern football, what with his skills and trickery in Pirates colours.
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The debate has gone as far as being joined by legends such Jomo Sono, himself a skilful player in his heyday.
"I saw him [dancing on the ball] and going towards his own goal, and I switched to English football," Sono told journalists two months ago.
"He was going this way, but Pirates were going that way. I don't know... I am not saying it's wrong, but the only time I saw him was when he was doing that.
"I entertained the crowd, but I wasn't going that way when Pirates were going in a different direction," added the former Bafana Bafana coach, whose jersey number 10 has been retired at the Soweto giants in honour of his impact and achievements.
For his part, Mofokeng entertained the crowd with a display of showboating in Bafana Bafana's 3-0 win over South Sudan last Tuesday.
Mahlangu, who pulled crowds to stadiums for Kaizer Chiefs for his scintillating style of play, has suggested the 20-year-old would not face criticism for it because he has timing.
"He is still young, he's growing, he's learning. I'm happy the way Hugo Broos introduces him, he introduces him gradually. He does not throw him at the deep end," Mahlangu said on SABC's Soccer Zone.
"And whenever he's been given an opportunity, he rises to the occasion. He is bringing back the type of football we love in South Africa, from ekasi.
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"The fans need to see the likes of Rele doing that, ayibambe, ayipolishe [showcasing skill] and stop to always playing directly as if we don't have a skill. As South Africans, we're gifted! It is how we express ourselves. And what I like about him, everything he does, he does it at the right time, he doesn't abuse [showboating]," he added.