Orlando Pirates youngster Relebohile Mofokeng has had a remarkable rise since gaining first team promotion.
Mofokeng joined the Pirates DStv Diski Challenge structures in the 2022/23 season from the famous School of Excellence.
That very same season, he’d make such a big impact with the reserves, that calls were made for his promotion. By the end of the season the call was headed, as he finished the season in the Pirates first team. Since then, he has not looked back and has become an indispensable player for the Buccaneers. He is now also a fully fledged member of the Bafana Bafana side under coach Hugo Broos, although yet to start.
Mofokeng a key player at Pirates
Beyond the South African borders, Mofokeng has had a trial at English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers. There have also been links to the likes of Spanish giants FC Barcelona, Red Bull Salzburg, Glasgow Rangers. Even on the African continent, Al Ahly have been reported to be interested. All of these factors make him even more valuable to Pirates, but could he have been at archrivals Kaizer Chiefs?
According to well renowned football photographer Vino Snaps, he recommended Mofokeng to Chiefs. This was well before he signed for the School of Excellence and eventually Pirates.
Could he have been at Chiefs instead?
With Rele (Mofokeng), I first spotted him, I think he was 13, I remember calling some of the scouts at Kaizer Chiefs to say, ‘Hey, guys you need to come to Sharpeville, there’s this young boy here doing magic,’. Fast forward it’s 2022, he’s at School of Excellence but I’m hosting a tournament and one of the teams invited him, fast forward I’m seeing talent I’ve never seen before. Even on my posts, I told them I’m seeing the prime Thulani Serero in this kid. So ‘my people in football please come do something with this boy’. Our relationship [with Mofokeng] is good. I’m a supportive person, Rele doesn’t owe me anything. I did that through my own will. Seeing him do what he’s doing now makes me really happy.” Said Vino Snaps on 947’s MSW as per goal.com SA.
Do you think Mofokeng would have made it to the top had he joined Chiefs development at 13? Or would he have been lost in the system like many young players at big clubs? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.
