Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng has earned his first start for Bafana Bafana after being named in the starting XI for their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on Friday.
Mofokeng has been rewarded for his great form after scoring twice last Sunday as Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 and he joins a star-studded and experienced line-up selected by coach Hugo Broos.
The 20-year-old has been featuring as a substitute since making his Bafana Bafana debut last June and now has a chance to showcase his talents from the start at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Broos has maintained captain Ronwen Williams in goal but there are changes in defence with Romania-based Siyabonga Ngezana partnering Orlando Pirates’ Nkosinathi Sibisi at centre back while in midfield, Teboho Mokoena and Jayden Adams will partner with Mofokeng just ahead of them.
What is at stake for South Africa?
The Bafana Bafana attack sees the return of Percy Tau since the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in June 2024 with the Qatar SC forward playing out wide, same as Elias Mokwana of Esperance, while Burnley forward Lyle Foster will play upfront.
Bafana Bafana are looking for maximum points to boost their qualification chances for the 2026 World Cup and head into the match with seven points from four games.
With Benin drawing 2-2 away to Zimbabwe on Thursday, to take their tally to eight points, South Africa have a chance to move top of the group, if they can win, while Rwanda, also on seven points, have a tough match against Nigeria, also kicking off at 18.00 on Friday.
