As an Orlando Pirates supporter, Molemo Lehoko is over the moon that the Buccaneers finished with two trophies in the cabinet, but there's still that desire to see the Soweto giants winning the biggest prize in local football - the DStv Premiership.
Popularly known as Lemi, he started out as a Moroka Swallows supporter in the early years of his life, but things changed when he attended a Pirates game with his cousin. Now a big Buccaneer, Lemi has a lot to brag about, as the Soweto giants are performing well under head coach Jose Riveiro.
Soccer Laduma caught up with the Content Creator and Radio Personality to talk about the season Pirates had and how his love for the Soweto giants started.
Lemi, what are your feelings after Pirates finished the season with two trophies?
As a Pirates supporter, I am happy that we got two trophies. It's an open secret that Sundowns is a good team and having to beat them to defend both titles is a big deal. It shows that we have potential to contest for the league itself. When you compare knockout competitions to the league, it's more like a sprint, whereas the league is a marathon. We need to get into the groove of contesting in a marathon. After that, whose says we can't get another treble? But I am very happy as a Pirates supporter because it shows that the team still fights, for us as fans and for themselves and their reputation. I am proud as a Pirates supporter.
What's missing when it comes to competing for the league title because Pirates have finished in second place twice under Riveiro?
I can give you a generic answer and say what's missing at Pirates is squad depth. But it's much more than that. There is just something that Sundowns is doing that we are not. We need to figure that out. We need squad depth because we are going to be playing in CAF (Champions League). We need to put the same effort we put in the cup competitions into the league. When you look at some of the games we've lost, we lost games that people would call 'sure wins'. That's the difference between number one and two. Every win in the league is important.
What do you make of the rise of Relebohile Mofokeng?
I think there is so much quality and potential. I say potential because we get into the habit of giving too much flowers too early and sometimes it ruins the player. But I've seen off the field where experienced players have spoken to him and have kind of helped me to keep a level head. We don't want him to become that player who has one or two great seasons and then he starts declining in season number three. He is a quality player who is confident on the ball. He basically won us the Nedbank Cup and it's a big confidence booster. He needs to keep a level head so that it does not become his demise at the end of the day.
How and when did you start supporting Pirates?
My father supported Moroka Swallows because we are from Dube and they are known as the Dube Birds. That was my initial team, until a cousin of mine took me to a Pirates game. I think I was nine. I was overwhelmed with the kind of team they were. There was just something special about Pirates. I was converted that day, just from that one game. I knew that this was the team I wanted to support.
Do you have an all-time favourite Pirates player?
It's a tough one. It would have to be between Steve Lekoelea and Gift Leremi. It would definitely be those two at the top of my list. I also got the pleasure of meeting Oupa Manyisa recently and he had an incredible spell at Pirates. He created a big demand in his role and there was big shoes to fill (when he left). Those would be my top three.
Do you have a favourite player in the current team?
Relebohile Mofokeng. He's very inspiring because he hit the ground running. As young as he is, he inspires his fellow teammates to perform.
