What has made Orlando Pirates forward sensation Relebohile Mofokeng different to other upcoming youngsters has been revealed.
One of the main attributes of Mofokeng's game is his technique and how good he handles his temperament.
The 20-year-old has kept his consistency since he got promoted to the first team at Pirates two seasons ago and his maturity has seen him being called up to the Bafana Bafana squad.
The Buccaneers' development academy has routinely taken credit for the Vaal native attacker's football intelligence.
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However, Mahlatse Makudubela says the way SAFA/Transnet School of Excellence develops players, is different to any other academy and is not surprised by how Mofokeng, who is their product, has burst into the scene and remained consistent, the same way former graduates were properly developed.
"You look at the players that the School of Excellence has produced, I could start from [way] back Shaun Potgieter, Zitha Mofokeng, Steven Pienaar, Bernard Parker, the list goes on. Relebohile Mofokeng, Keagan Dolly, Mahlatse Makudubela, it goes on," Makudubela said on Junior Khanye Khohlwa Podcast.
"[At School of Excellence] you have somebody going through a five year development programme, he eats, drinks, sleeps football. You understand the mental side, you are taught the technique of playing football, the tactics you start them at age 14.
"And then you have somebody playing in kasi [in the township], I'm not saying it's wrong, for five years, no tactics, no technique, play one year in Vodacom [third tier], you're spotted by an NFD team, there's no development. We're surprised at age 17 Lamine Yamal is at his best. Development in S.A. is cheated. [After you're scouted with no development]. We put you against Kaizer Chiefs you collapse, 90 000 [fans], full capacity...Y ou won't have BMT [Big match temperament]," Makudubela said.
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Other players produced by the School of Excellence include Dillon Sheppard, Michael Nkambule, Sipho Nunens, Daine Klate, Bryce Moon and most recently Siyabonga Mabena, Kutlwano Letlhaku and Emile Witbooi, among a host of others.
