Bucs legend Dikgang Mabalane praises Mofokeng and Nkota for transformative impact

The duo of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota have contributed directly to 12 goals in the Champions League tournament this season.

Nkota, who hails from Kimberley, has scored three goals and provided two assists in only six matches in the Champions League. Mofokeng, a Bafana Bafana international, is counting four goals and three assists in 12 games.

Mabalane says these young boys are game changers.

"I love it, I'm loving it, number one, to see youngsters being given an opportunity and actually the coaches being brave enough to play these youngsters because it's one thing to say we have a youngster but he plays here and there,” Mabalane said.

“We see this with all the overseas teams, Yamal, you know, for me, the small difference, yes, it's based on context and where they are, the league that side but still, they are young.

“These are teenagers and they stood the pressure under all the pressure, they still play and they still deliver. So, I'm impressed with both those youngsters, they are scoring goals, so they are making an impact, they are not just adding numbers. I want them to play every game."

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A member of the Orlando Pirates team, which won a double treble, Mabalane still sees his former team able to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns vigorously for the Betway Premiership title.

"Look, this is one of the seasons where it is realistic, it's a realistic goal. You look at the gap, the number of points, the number of games left and besides that, just the performance of Pirates,” he added.

“I think they've been convincing this season as compared to the other seasons of course but I think this season, they've really upped the game, they've upped the standard of play so for me it's one of the first time in a long time that we see a serious contender, a challenge for Sundowns."