Rakhale on the rise - SportsClub

Thabo Rakhale is proving his worth in the Orlando Pirates midfield, writes WADE PRETORIUS in SoccerClub magazine.

Life at the Buccaneers hasn’t always been so easy for the former Sivutsa Stars maestro, who was forced to cut his teeth in the Premiership on loan at Polokwane City, after initially taking some time to convince coach Eric Tinkler of his credentials. Hindsight has shown Rakhale that his time away from Soweto was vital to his development and has aided him since his re-introduction to the setup at the Sea Robbers.

Since his return to the Mayfair club last season, Rakhale has slowly made the move from impact player to regular starter after fighting with the likes of Mpho Makola, Sifiso Myeni, Thabo Qalinge, Luvuyo Memela and Issa Sarr for a spot in the starting lineup. Now, he seems intent on making full use of every opportunity to dazzle not only his coach but also the crowds from the very first minute. Rakhale, known as ‘Jomo’, could also be nicknamed ‘fan favourite’, such is the local media’s most often used description for one of South Africa’s most skilful players.

After scoring a meagre 16 goals in their first 14 Premiership fixtures, Pirates have turned the corner in the second half of season after Tinkler finally settled on his preferred midfield combination, giving players like Rakhale the confidence to do their job on the pitch free from the worry that they might be axed. Tinkler’s faith in his abilities has allowed Jomo to express himself in the famous black kit, a life-long dream for mercurial talent.

‘It’s an honour for me to play here, it’s a dream come true. I grew up supporting Orlando Pirates,’ says Rakhale. As a player, there is no greater achievement than playing, and starring, for the club you supported as a child growing up and Rakhale has the added incentive of following in the famous footsteps of his idol Steve Lekoelea.

‘As we all know, Steve was playing for Pirates, and here I am today … I’m being regarded as his one of his successors in the team.’ Lekoelea keeps in touch with his prodigy, often calling him before matches to remind him to focus on what goes on between the white lines and to be disciplined in his approach to the game.

The pressure of being a crowd pleaser and a star in one of Africa’s biggest sides appears not to weigh heavily on his mind or hinder his on-field performances. ‘Every game fans expect you to be on your best but I’m keeping my feet on the ground,’ Rakhale told KickOff. Rakhale revels in the freedom given to him by the Bucs’ technical team to express himself. ‘I don’t want to be big-headed with the fact that fans like me. I just play my normal game, play according to the instructions, as long as whatever I’m doing is working for the team.’

Rakhale and Thabo ‘Section 10’ Qalinge often match each other trick-for-trick, something that entertains not only the crowds but also their teammates as Luvuyo Memela revealed. ‘We all get very excited. But obviously we know that Rakhale and Qalinge are different and we can’t all do it.’ Memela told SoccerLaduma.

‘It comes naturally to the two of them. We know and witness it all at training between team exercises, when they’re on the side doing their magic strokes with the ball to entertain the rest of us,’

It’s not all about bamboozling opposition defenders or sending the crowd into hysterics with his bag of tricks. Rakhale’s main focus has never shifted; help push the team forward and to win games.

‘For me, it’s not just about showboating. If you look at my performances, especially this season, I am more creative and I’m scoring goals. Whatever I do with the ball it should be for the benefit of the team, not myself or the supporters. It must be positive for the team; the coach doesn’t mind it and he always encourages me to go at defenders and win one-on-one situations,’ adds Rakhale.

Rakhale possesses everything he needs to take his game to the next level – self awareness, confidence, talent, the faith of his coach and unwavering support of the club’s passionate fans. Orlando Pirates are benefitting as much from an in-form Rakhale as the midfielder is from the much-improved run of form in the latter half of the season, each feeding off the increased confidence with devastating effects on the opposition.

About Rakhale

Date of birth: 20 March 1990

Place of birth: Vanderbijlpark

Height: 1,74 m

Position: Attacking midfielder

Twitter: @jomoroski

Transfer value: R4.5million*

*According to transfermarkt.com

FAMOUS NO 10s

Only a select band of players have donned the No 10 jersey at Orlando Pirates. Despite his role in the side as the influential playmaker, Rakhale remains wary of swapping number 25 for the jersey worn by the likes of Percy ‘Chippa’ Moloi, Bernard Hartze, Jomo Sono, Marks Maponyane, Thabo Mngomeni, Benedict Vilakazi, Teko Modise and Steve Lekolea.