Young Pirate Mofokeng remaining grounded despite waves

Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates celebrates victory during the 2024 MTN8 final match against Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. | BackpagePix

Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates celebrates victory during the 2024 MTN8 final match against Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. | BackpagePix

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The 19-year-old yet again defied his age in the 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, coming off the bench to assist the second goal and score the winner.

Prior to his cameo, Mofokeng sent the stadium into a frenzy when coach Jose Riveiro sat alongside him on the bench for final instructions.

The Vaal-born attacker is not loved by chance. His match winning goal against Stellies is all but a replica of what he did in the Nedbank Cup final.

Mofokeng also came off the bench against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Ke Yona Cup final and scored the winner in stoppage time as Pirates won their fourth crown.

Despite all the hype and resurgence which has endeared him to not only the Ghost but the football fraternity as well, Mofokeng remains grounded.

As a host of his seniors – Nkosinathi Sibisi, Deon Hotto, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Thalente Mbatha – sat alongside him for the post-match presser, he seemed as if he knew his place.

Mofokeng sat on the opposite end of the table with humility, even asking permission from the media corps to answer in SeSotho.

“It’s not like I am being trusted when I come on in the second half I will do something. I feel like I work for the team, helping players who’ve already started the game,” Mofokeng said.

“We all worked. The players who started the game are the ones who made Stellenbosch tired and made things easier for me when I came on.

“So yeah, I just came in to work. I have been starting games and scoring and assisting. When you start or come off the bench doesn’t mean anything, you must always be ready.”

Mofokeng hasn’t only been an impact player for Pirates, but for Bafana Bafana as well – his last three successive international appearances coming in the second half.

His Bafana debut was even special for Mofokeng that it took captain Ronwen Williams to convince coach Hugo Broos to bring in on in their 3-1 win over Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers.

The duo was nemeses a few days before that on club level, Mofokeng having scored that winner against Williams in the Nedbank Cup final.

Williams’ touch of class for Mofokeng’s cameo at a sold-out Toyota Stadium further proved the camaraderie within Bafana which has been on an upward trajectory.

Mofokeng and Co will face Congo Brazzaville in back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers, starting at home, Gqeberha, on Friday before visiting Congo four days later.

Expectations are high on Mofokeng to play a key role in safeguarding the team to a six pointer – which will all but guarantee their spot in the 2025 Morocco finals.

Mofokeng, though, knows that he wouldn’t be where he is if it wasn’t for his club teammates. After all, he couldn’t score and assist for himself.

“I am grateful to my teammates for helping me to score. And I am also grateful to Tshego for the assist,” Mofokeng concluded.

Coach Hugo Broos’ final 23-man squad for the upcoming qualifiers is expected to assemble for camp today in the Windy City.

The silver-haired Belgian stuck with his tried and tested, with Teboho Mokoena who hasn’t played for Mamelodi Sundowns also getting the nod.

There was, however, no place for goalkeeper Veli Mothwa and attacker Percy Tau who has been causing blunders for Bafana and AmaZulu and not a regular for Al Ahly respectively.

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