Orlando Pirates Coach Mandla Ncikazi’s Concerns Over Relebohile Mofokeng Gain Credence After Suspension

Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi’s recent remarks about Relebohile Mofokeng being deliberately targeted by opposition teams appear to be backed by events on the field — particularly after the gifted youngster was ruled out of the Buccaneers’ upcoming clash against SuperSport United due to suspension.

The 20-year-old fan favourite, affectionately known as ‘President Yama-2k’, has been one of Pirates’ standout performers this season, dazzling with his skill and flair. However, his growing influence on games seems to have come at a cost, as opponents are increasingly resorting to aggressive tactics to neutralise his threat.

Mofokeng received his fourth yellow card of the DStv Premiership season during Pirates’ 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy on Saturday, triggering an automatic one-match suspension. The Buccaneers will now have to do without his services in their fixture at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening (19:30 kickoff).

In his post-match interview, Ncikazi didn’t mince his words, suggesting that teams were targeting Mofokeng with a clear intent to stifle his creativity. “I thought it was a plan of the opponents,” Ncikazi told SuperSport TV. “When you have the ball players we have in our team, you could see the target was Mofokeng. That’s the one bad part for me — they’re not playing the game but more robust tactics to deal with such a good player.”

While some may view Ncikazi’s comments as an emotional reaction to the dropped points, the numbers tell a story of their own. Of the four yellow cards Mofokeng has accumulated this season, two came in matches against TS Galaxy — suggesting the Mpumalanga outfit has found a way to frustrate the young attacker.

Mofokeng first went into the referee’s book during a 2-0 win over TS Galaxy on October 29, a match where he also scored a stunning goal from distance. The second yellow against the same opponents came in the most recent draw, further fuelling claims that specific teams are targeting him.

His other two bookings came in victories over Richards Bay FC and Chippa United. Against Richards Bay, the youngster was cautioned during a tight 1-0 win courtesy of Evidence Makgopa’s strike. In the match versus Chippa, Mofokeng delivered the assist for Nkosinathi Sibisi’s headed winner from a corner, but again picked up a yellow card.

While Mofokeng’s absence is undoubtedly a blow for the Soweto giants, the timing may be somewhat fortuitous. With Pirates having little left to play for in the current campaign, the suspension provides the overworked midfielder a much-needed breather after a long and demanding season.

It also presents Ncikazi with an opportunity to experiment with his squad and give fringe players a run, especially in the attacking department.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear — Mofokeng’s influence on the pitch is being felt not just by fans, but also by opposition defenders and technical benches. Whether his suspension is a product of aggressive targeting or a result of youthful exuberance, his rise continues to be one of the most captivating stories of Pirates’ season.