Hard-working Maboe has Pitso purring

Pitso Mosimane singled out Lebohang Maboe’s performance in Mamelodi Sundowns’ 3-0 win against Black Leopards in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday night. Maboe (right) scored the opener at Loftus Versfeld.

Since moving from Maritzburg United, Maboe has only missed one league game this season and Mosimane was delighted to see him netting his fifth league goal.

“He is a hard worker and he deserves the credit. The last time he scored was against Kaizer Chiefs and he had not scored since. He has been playing and playing and somewhere, somehow some people are not happy with him and it has been difficult for him,” said Mosimane.

“To play for Mamelodi Sundowns is not easy and the poor boy has been fighting to get into this team. He was not a big signing or favourite to come here but he forced himself into the team and he got the goal.” He added.

“The boy is mentally strong and he lives a good life off the pitch. He has a good family and those things are very important. He is young and he came into this team where 45 minutes can determine your next match, whether you are coming or you are going because the stress of the players on the bench is very difficult.”

The former Bafana Bafana mentor revealed he was a bit concerned about Maboe’s poor performance in the 2-0 defeat to AmaZulu last week, suspecting that the attacker’s confidence was going to take a slump.

“Last week he didn’t have a good game when we played AmaZulu and I was worried that he was going to go downhill. When he scored that goal I said thank God because he deserved that break,” said Mosimane.

“We have got other players who have been in the team for a long time and have a big reputation with the supporters. They’ve done good things and they are big names and the poor boy comes with nothing but my support.”