Orlando Pirates prodigy Relebohile Mofokeng grabbed another slice of history in their recent MTN8 final triumph. The sky is the limit for this young superstar.
Mofokeng made Pirates history
Orlando Pirates’ come-from-behind 3-1 win against Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final secured a three-peat in that competition. They are the first side in the PSL era to achieve that feat. 19-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng got himself on the score sheet, something he also did in the recent Nedbank Cup final win over Sundowns. On that occasion, his was the decisive 95th-minute strike. He repeated the trick against Stellies, scoring in the 96th minute to make the trophy safe for Pirates after a controversial stoppage-time goal from Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Big game player for Orlando Pirates
Not only has the teenager scored in successive cup finals for the Buccaneers, but he’s now notched up 51 appearances for the club since his promotion in July 2023. Mofokeng was voted the Young Player of the Season in 2023-2024, a campaign culminating in Bafana Bafana recognition. Mofokeng now has nine goals and 10 assists for the Sea Robbers in his fledgling career. He’ll be 20 years old on Wednesday 23 October.
Rele headlines Pirates’ Bafana contingent
Even with Thalente Mbatha missing the two recent clashes with Congo, Hugo Broos will lean heavily on the Orlando Pirates players in his squad. Sipho Chaine is a strong backup goalkeeping option although he started against South Sudan. Talented 24-year-old operator Thabiso Sesane is enjoying a storming start to the season in the centre of defence for the Buccaneers and is now a viable option for his country too. Teenager Mofokeng will be a star for club and country for many years and there’s also the option of talented left-footed Patrick Maswanganyi. Central defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will also fancy his chances of forcing his way back into the Bafana side if he can do so for Pirates. New signing Deano van Rooyen will also be a candidate for the right-back slot for Bafana before long. There’s also the curious situation with Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Next six matches for Mofokeng and Orlando Pirates
After a surprise defeat to Magesi in the Carling Knockout, Pirates must dust themselves down and get back to basics in the Betway Premiership. They’ve also got some enticing Caf Champions League clashes on the horizon.
- AmaZulu (H) – 25 October, 19:30 kickoff
- TS Galaxy (A) – 29 October, 19:30 kickoff
- Stellenbosch (H) – 10 November, 15:30 kickoff
- Belouizdad (A) – 26 November, kickoff time TBC
- Gallants (A) – 03 December, 19:30 kickoff
- Al Ahly (H) – 06 December, kickoff time TBC
Will Rele Mofokeng become a Pirates and Bafana legend?
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