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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Mofokeng has established himself as a Pirates regular</li><li>He has been compared to Leremi and Modise</li><li>Maela tells him not to get that into his head</li></ul>

Orlando Pirates captain Maela tells Mofokeng to 'block all the noise' and insists wonderkid is 'far' from being a star after Leremi comparisons

Mofokeng has turned himself into a regular player at Pirates and has become a key player at the club.This is the 19-year-old's second season in the<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/psl/yv73ms6v1995b5wny16jcfi3" target="_blank"> Premier Soccer League</a> after making cameo roles last term.His performances have seen him being mentioned as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/kaizer-chiefs-vs-orlando-pirates-dolly-lorch-mofokeng-petersen-who-will-make-their-mark-in-the-soweto-derby/bltada4d372b4f4e2ad#cs2455a5a851139521" target="_blank">the next Gift Leremi </a>while also being compared to Teko Modise.

WHAT HAPPENED?

A number of PSL starlets have been trying to create big names for themselves and that includes Mamelodi Sundowns' Siyabonga Mabena, Kaizer Chiefs' Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane.But as it stands, Mofokeng seems to be eclipsing them as he seeks to rise and become the next big thing in South African football.Being surrounded by Pirates attacking players like Thembinkosi Lorch, Monnapule Saleng, Kermit Erasmus and Patrick Maswanganyi could tremendously improve him.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

“First and foremost Mofokeng is a very humble boy... he’s very grounded," said Maela as per <a href="https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-11-15-humble-mofokeng-is-not-a-star-yet-maela/" target="_blank">Sowetan Live.</a>"When you talk to him, he listens and he listens to understand. So, I think that quality will take him very far. In terms of him being a star, well... he’s far from that, I’ll be honest with you. “There’s still a lot of work that he needs to put in. He still has to improve on a lot of things and he acknowledges that. Yes, the fans love him but he needs to stay close to reality and focus on his game... and just block all the outside noise.“We tell him all the time that he must continue to stay grounded and work harder. He just got started now and he mustn’t think he has arrived.”

WHAT MAELA SAID

Mofokeng was recently in England on trial at Wolverhampton Wanderers and that underlines how immensely talented he is to attract the interest of a Premier League side.

DID YOU KNOW?

It has been a long time since Bafana Bafana last had a teenager taking centre stage and Mofokeng has a chance to do that.If he continues with his eye-catching performances, he could muscle his way into the national team or even be a surprise inclusion in Hugo Broos' Africa Cup of Nations squad.While Mofokeng is fit and on top of his game, Maela is trying to regain fitness following an injury that has kept him out of the current national team camp.

WHAT NEXT FOR MOFOKENG AND MAELA?

Orlando Pirates captain Maela tells Mofokeng to 'block all the noise' and insists wonderkid is 'far' from being a star after Leremi comparisons | Goal.com

Orlando Pirates skipper Innocent Maela has sent a message to Relebohile Mofokeng, telling the attacker to remain grounded amid glowing plaudits.

Orlando Pirates captain Maela tells Mofokeng to &apos;block all the noise&apos; and insists wonderkid is &apos;far&apos; from being a star after Leremi comparisons