Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Mpho Makola has sent a message of
support to Relebohile Mofokeng, after the young star took personal
responsibility for a missed chance in Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations
defeat to Cameroon.
South Africa lost 2-1 in the Round of 16, with Mofokeng missing a clear-cut
opportunity early in the match that could have changed the game’s
complexion. Speaking to SABC Sport afterwards, the 21-year-old shouldered
the blame: “I think that (missed) chance could have opened the game for us.
I take responsibility that I should have scored.”
In an interview with the PSLSA, Makola praised Mofokeng’s maturity for
making such a bold statement but emphasized that accountability should be
shared by the entire team.
“‘Rele’ is a young and very strong man I believe. Talented players,
especially that age, are very mature… So for him to say a bold statement
like that, to take it on his shoulders, that’s fine. But from where I’m
sitting, the whole team should take accountability. It shouldn’t be only on
‘Rele’,” said Makola.
The former Pirates and Cape Town City midfielder also offered words of
encouragement, urging Mofokeng to look beyond social media criticism and
focus on his promising future.
“My message to him is, ‘chin up, it’s not the end of the world, you’re still
going to miss a lot of chances in important matches… But I know for a
fact, if you were to get that chance again today, you would score it. So
it’s okay. We still love you, we still appreciate your talent, you’re still
going to make us proud for sure’,” Makola added.
