Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams, having recently shared time with young talent Relebohile Mofokeng at the national team, revealed what sets the Orlando Pirates starlet apart from other youngsters.
Mofokeng was handed his first Bafana call-up during their recent camp leading up to the World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
He didn’t play the first match against Super Eagles in Nigeria when Hugo Broos’ troops drew 1-1, returning home with a point.
He made his national team debut in a match against The Warriors in Bloemfontein, coming off the bench for Oswin Appollis.
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Williams played a crucial part in convincing Broos to give Mofokeng a run towards the end of the match.
Interestingly, this came just a week after Mofokeng's heroics in the Nedbank Cup final, where he netted the winning goal for the Buccaneers against Williams.
Williams believes that Mofokeng stands out among the numerous young players he has come across. He disclosed that the 19-year-old displays “no ego and no sulking”, highlighting his cheerful disposition.
Williams also praised the Sharpeville-born winger’s pure joy in simply just wanting to be on the pitch playing.
WILLIAMS ON MOFOKENG – ‘THERE’S NO EGO, THERE’S NO SULKING’
“He deserves it for the season he's had at such a young age, and when I saw and interacted with him in the Bafana camp, he's such a happy spirit who just wants to play football,” said Williams as per SABC Sport.
“There's no ego, there's no sulking, he's just happy and he wants to play football, and I love that. He's different from the rest of the youngsters – he's just happy to have the ball at his feet.
“I was watching him throughout the week [in camp] and I saw how he handles and carries himself, and he just makes me so happy to see him every day – I even get excited to see him, because he's always happy and has a smile on his face.”
Praising Mofokeng's fearlessness, Williams emphasised that he's exactly what Bafana Bafana needs. He also revealed how he welcomed the youngster to the team.
WILLIAMS SAYS MOFOKENG IS WHAT BAFANA NEEDED
“He's fearless and wants to take on opponents, he wants to play his game, and that's what we want and need from him [in Bafana], so when he came to camp, I said, ‘Look, you deserve to be here, just do what you've been doing for your club, and just be you.'
“I'm just glad that he got his debut – I know how important it is for someone to get their debut, and what a day, what an atmosphere for him to come on, and I knew the crowd wanted him [on the pitch],” he added.
