Orlando Pirates legend Jerry Sikhosana advises caution regarding Relebohile Mofokeng’s potential inclusion in the upcoming Bafana Bafana squad.

Mofokeng, a standout performer for Pirates this season, has earned a nomination for the PSL Young Player of the Season award.

The 19-year-old has impressed with four goals and six assists in 36 matches across all competitions this season. He was included in coach Hugo Broos’ preliminary squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe next month.

Sikhosana, who made his Bafana debut against England in 1997, believes Mofokeng’s national team experience should be managed carefully. “He shouldn’t be thrown in the deep end,” Sikhosana said. “It’s more about monitoring him and seeing how he conducts himself around the senior players.”

Sikhosana emphasizes the importance of handling potential pressure. “It’s not a lot of pressure,” he argues. “The coach wants to take a closer look at him based on his performances.”

He draws a parallel to his own experience: “When I came from Witbank Aces to Pirates in 1995, nobody knew me. But within a year, I made a significant impact for the club.”

Sikhosana’s message is one of self-belief and continuous improvement. “It’s about how you take the credit and use it to push yourself further,” he says.

This approach ensures players don’t disappoint their supporters. “Many players haven’t sustained their success after Pirates,” Sikhosana reflects. “But I’m still here, getting recognition. It’s all about how you conduct yourself.”