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Relebohile Mofokeng of Bafana Bafana during the World Cup qualifier against LesothoBackpage
Khothatso Leballo

Hugo Broos stands by Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng despite youngster's indifferent form as Bafana Bafana prepare for do-or-die 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

The Buccaneers wideman has not been the same player who took the Premier Soccer League by storm last season, but the national team coach retains trust in him. The Belgian coach explains why he has not lost faith in the 20-year-old who is pushing to go to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals with the national side.

  • Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Out of form but still trusted by Broos

    Relebohile Mofokeng is yet to score a goal this season in 10 appearances for Orlando Pirates across all competitions, managing just one assist.

    He is a far cry from the player whose name became a soundtrack in South African football in the last two seasons.

    But he has still found his way into the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda as South Africa coach Hugo Broos explains why he still has faith in Mofokeng. 

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  • Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana, August 2025Backpage

    What Broos said about Mofokeng

    “What happened with Rele is a little bit you can expect that,” said Broos on SABC1 as per iDiski Times.

    “You can expect that, there was interest from everywhere in the world. Every team wanted Rele and then I have a feeling, okay, there are, how do you say that in English, people are going out trying to sell him.

    “I think this is what happened with Rele and it’s not good for the player. At the certain moment you are only thinking about that, you can’t focus anymore on football.

    “And that is what happened with Rele, but his qualities are still there, and I will not drop him like that," added the Belgian. 

    "So he is with us and we will try to give him confidence again, and I try to talk a little bit with him also, he has to focus on football and all the rest forget it. It will come.”

  • Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Careful approach torwards Mofokeng

    Even Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted that Mofokeng is not at his usual best this season and has come up with a way to handle the winger.

    It is a similar approach Broos appears to be adopting so as not to demoralise the SAFA School of Excellence graduate.

    But Mofokeng himself might be fully aware that he needs to improve on his game and not make the coaches run out of patience with him. 

  • Relebohile Mofokeng, Bafana Bafana, March 2025Backpagepix

    Mofokeng a reliable player in Bafana's crucial moment?

    During the last international camp where Bafana played against Lesotho and Nigeria in September, Mofokeng was an unused substitute in both games.

    It is now to be seen if Broos will play him in do-or-die games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.