Riveiro confirms Orlando Pirates teen Mofokeng on trial at EPL club Wolves

Orlando Pirates may play their Carling Knockout Cup last-16 clash against Cape Town Spurs on Friday without teen attacking midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng as he is on trial at Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro confirmed on Thursday that 18-year-old Mofokeng, who made his Bucs debut under the coach last season, has been the subject of a possible move overseas after he impressed European scouts during Pirates' preseason tour in Spain in July. 

“I'm absolutely convinced 'Rele' is ready for whatever is coming,” Riveiro said at a Carling Knockout press conference in Johannesburg. “He's the proper age, maybe here [in South Africa] it looks early when he's 18, but not for me. If you follow the current situation in Europe, 17, 18, 19, 20 is a really frequent age to get your first minutes in the top teams.

“We have to, little by little, perhaps also change our ambition for the youngsters. When you're ready, it doesn't matter whether you're 18 or 28. If you're ready to do it you're ready. If you have the level you have the level.

“In this case, we all know the type of talent Rele is and everything is in his hands now to use this opportunity. We at Pirates are more than happy to see Rele in this situation. Hopefully he can make it, and hopefully he's not the last.”

Other than the possibility of Mofokeng missing the cup tie, Riveiro, who won his third successive cup trophy with Bucs with their penalties MTN8 final victory against Mamelodi Sundowns a week ago, said he has 25 outfield players to choose from for the game against Spurs at Orlando Stadium.

“I can't tell you about the health of the individual players — as you know that's something I'm not used to telling because I think I'm not the person. There are some long-term injuries that are public knowledge and there's a few doubts and 50/50 players that are maybe not ready for Spurs or Tuesday's [league] game [against AmaZulu].”

Bafana Bafana striker Zakhele Lepasa is among the doubtful Pirates players after he pulled out of the national squad that drew 1-1 to Ivory Coast in Abidjan on Tuesday night because on an injury. Riveiro said a late fitness test will determine whether Lepasa will part of the playing squad on Friday.