Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou sheds light on how he has been handling Relebohile Mofokeng as Bafana Bafana star struggles to get back to top form after Mohau Nkota departure

Relebohile Mofokeng has been struggling for form at Orlando Pirates, with one assist in the 10 games he has played in all competitions so far this season.

That is a complete difference from the player who showed so much promise in the last two terms and has been starting from the bench in some games this season.

Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou explains how they have been dealing with the winger to help him amid criticism from fans. 

“First of all, as a coach and as an ex-professional football player, it’s important to give love to your players, to show them trust, to build strong values between your players,” said Ouaddou when speaking to the reporters.
“This is very important. We are not speaking about tactics, we are not speaking about technique, we are speaking about a human being. These things are very important.  
“The other thing is that he is in his house, he has some fantastic people in the club, the management, people who love him and he loves the club.
“So, he feels love inside the club, it’s what keeps him, and he was fantastic today and I was happy about his performance. I hope he will keep going like that and show the best of Rele.”

Since Mohau Nkota left Pirates before the start of this season, Mofokeng has been struggling to get himself back to the top of his game like the last two seasons.

He had formed a formidable partnership with the now Al Ettifaq player, who has been making waves in Saudi Arabia.

Interestingly, it was Mofokeng who was being heavily linked with a move overseas, but Nkota left Pirates before him.    

Mofokeng would be hoping his current form will have him sidelined from the Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals. 

That leaves him with a lot to prove to national team coach Hugo Broos that he has the character to rise.