Orlando Pirates' rising youngster Relebohile Mofokeng has revealed how he was humbled by a gesture from his idol Thembinkosi Lorch in his lowest moment at the club.
Mofokeng has had a meteoric rise since being promoted to the first team at the start of the season and quickly established himself in Jose Riveiro's regular line-up.
The 19-year-old's form earned him an opportunity to be assessed by Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in October last year.
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However, after returning from his trial at Wolves, Mofokeng had one of the worst moments to overcome after he missed a crucial penalty against Jwaneng Galaxy in the CAF Champions League's final hurdle before the group stages.
Pirates were up against it after they lost the preliminary round first-leg 1-0 in Botswana but Evidence Makgopa brought them back in the game in the second-leg as his second-half goal saw the Buccaneers also win 1-0 and the game went to penalties after it was tied 1-1 on aggregate.
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Mofokeng had the courage to take a fourth penalty but he missed it as the Buccaneers were eliminated 5-4 and the youngster, who was in tears after that game has revealed that Lorch, who is his role model, is the first one who reached out to him after that incident.
"This side (my role model is) Thembinkosi (Lorch), I play in his position and I think he's the best in that position. At first it was a dream but when time goes on you get used to it. I can observe what he does," Mofokeng told journalists at Multichoice's Player Transition Programme event.
"He (Lorch) motivates me, after I missed the penalty (in the CAF Champions League) he was the first one to pick me up," he said.
The teenage sensation, who is a fan favourite at Pirates, also appreciated the support from fans.