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Local youngsters once again represent Vaal with distinction

"I’m proud of them because they come from Vaal where I also have my roots and started my football career.”

SEDIBENG.- The Vaal was well represented when two local young stars, Relebohile Mofokeng (20) and Naledi Hlongwane (19) once again scored for their respective teams over the weekend.

These local youngsters scored for their respective teams in the DSTV Diski Challenge (DDC) and CAF Champions League. They began where they left off in their previous games with Mofokeng scoring his third CAF Champion League goal when Orlando Pirates beat CR Belouizdad 2-1 at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

Hlongwane also scored a brace for Chiefs Reserved team when they beat TS Galaxy 4-1 in their DDC game at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday. Both Mofokeng and Hlongwane were part of the Carling Black Label All-Stars team that beat Magesi 3-0 in the exhibition match in December. To make it interesting, these two youngsters used to be teammates playing together in primary school.

Mofokeng helped Pirates maintain a good run in the CAF Champions League in Group C. Pirates have an unbeaten run in the competition, and they have already started to see life beyond group stages. They look like a team determined to go all the way to the final and add the second star to their jersey. With their current performance, it will be difficult for any team to stop them from their dream of playing in the CAF final.

While Kaizer Chiefs continues to struggle in the PLS, their babies moved the top of the DDC log standing thanks to Hlongwane’s brace. Amakhosi’s babies are at the top of the log with 30 points from 13 games.

The are high possibilities that these two Vaal-based young stars will soon be rivals in the Soweto derby with Hlongwane having been invited to train with the Chiefs senior team. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, former Bafana Bafana Captain Aaron ‘Mbazo’ Mokoena who happened to be following these youngsters said it is good for Vaal development to see the two youngsters making a name for themselves.

Mokoena who happens to also come from Vaal said there is no doubt that Mofokeng is going to be a big thing in the soccer world considering his current performance and age.

“The boy is a special player and we need to protect him. I bet he is going to be the best thing to come to South African football. It has been a while since South Africa produced a player of his standard and I’m happy for him.

As for Hlongwane I only saw him for the first time playing in the Carling Black Label and I must say, the future looks great for him too. I also do not doubt that if he remains level-headed, he will be going far in his football career. I’m proud of them because they come from Vaal where I also have my roots and started my football career,” concluded Mokoena.

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Lerato Serero

Lerato Serero is the Editor of Sedibeng Ster. With the experience of well over a decade. Lerato is passionate about writing stories about the community. Service delivery stories are his favourite. Email: leratoserero@mooivaal.co.za

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