Relebohile Mofokeng ticked all the right boxes at the club level in the 2023/24 season, as Orlando Pirates finished second in the Premier Soccer League, and successfully defended the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles.
The reigning PSL's Young Player of the Season was included in Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana which took part in the most recent 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers. He did not get an opportunity to feature in the 1-1 draw against the Super Eagles of Nigeria but was given a few minutes against Zimbabwe as his team claimed a 3-1 win.
Later on, it was revealed that captain Ronwen Williams was the one who asked the Belgian coach to hand the 19-year-old his senior debut.
Mamelodi Sundowns' keeper insists he deserves no credit
The Masandawana custodian is delighted to have played his part as a leader in the national team but is adamant the Pirates youngster had done everything to show he deserved a chance against Zimbabwe.
“[Mofokeng] is such an amazing person, just a happy soul, a happy boy,” the 32-year-old opened up to iDiski Times.
“When I see him each and every day, he is just happy and smiling. He just fitted in like a glove. When I watched him at training, I saw a kid that’s happy to be part of the Bafana Bafana set-up, and rightfully so, he made a debut.
“No credit must be given to me; it must be given to him, his team, and his family for helping him. I mean, he had an amazing season at such a young age, and he is so fearless, so big up to him. He deserves his debut fully,” the goalkeeper pointed out.
We realized our target!
In Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifier, Bafana were hoping for a decent outing after suffering a loss and registering a win in the initial two rounds.
Uyo was not going to be an easy hunting ground for the South Africans, but still, they played a good game and forced a draw before collecting maximum points at home against the Warriors. Williams insists that was the plan, and he is happy to have achieved it.
“The coach said we wanted four or six points, and we achieved our target. Six would have been outstanding, but four is amazing as well,” the PSL winner stated.
“We are still sitting on top of the log; yes, there is a goal difference involved, but the point is we are there, and that is the ultimate to stay in the chasing pack and get a gap between you and the others down there.
“We need to start opening that gap, and that is exactly what we have done.”
After four rounds, Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin – in that order, take the first three positions on the table with seven points each. Lesotho are fourth with five, two more than Nigeria while Zimbabwe are at the bottom.
