Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has given credit to the academy coaches of the Buccaneers for the work they’ve done in developing young players Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota. 

Mofokeng was promoted to the first team in the second round of the 2022/23 season, while Nkota got his chance this current season. The former, who was more experienced now, went on to make his Bafana Bafana debut against Zimbabwe in the FIFA World Cup 2026 match qualifier at Toyota Stadium in June. 

This after he was named Young Player of the Season last term as Pirates claimed the double of trophies. Mofokeng scored the winner as they beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final in June. 

Fast forward this term, in their first game playing together in the Betway Premiership, Nkota scored two goals while Mofokeng assisted both those goals against AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium in October. 

On Tuesday, the 20-year-old duo also combined to great effect against CR Belouizdad in the first game of the group stages in the CAF Champions League. Mofokeng assisted Nkota’s two goals during the first half. 

“I think to answer your question, a lot of credit should go to obviously the academy, the previous coaches that have worked with them throughout, but yeah as an individual, you have to give credit to the guys,” Maela said as Pirates face Stellebosch at Orlando Stadium on Sunday. 

“Not only the youngsters but everyone. The humility that we have within the squad, it’s unbelievable and it helps us a lot to grasp new information, and new tactics and for the players to be coachable, [it] helps.” 

Maela also said that Nkota and Mofokeng have bright futures ahead of them and wishes them the best of luck in their career. “We believe if we train well, work hard and you are good enough, then you deserve to play. But yeah, we wish them [Mofokeng and Nkota] the best of luck, we are here to support them and they should keep going you know, keep growing, keep their feet on the ground. 

“They need to keep improving, getting better and better, keep being humble – but yeah a lot of credit needs to go to the academy where they come from, the coaches that work with them, we wish they can keep going like that and keep improving.” 

 As Nkota and Mofokeng are now set to face Stellenbosch in the Betway Premiership on Sunday, the former Pirates DDC players will be aiming to contribute a lot again in this game, with Mofokeng having scored against Stellies in the final of MTN 8 at Moses Mabhida Stadium last month.