Relebohile Mofokeng Enters Pivotal Season with Orlando Pirates
Relebohile Mofokeng begins a crucial 12 months that could define his career trajectory. The 20-year-old winger has been linked with moves to clubs in Europe and the Middle East during the current transfer window, but he remains with Orlando Pirates and has featured in all three matches played so far this season.
This season carries heightened significance for Mofokeng. Having broken into the Bafana Bafana squad, he must continue playing regularly, contributing goals and assists, to remain on coach Hugo Broos’ radar. Bafana currently lead Group C by five points with four matches remaining, facing Lesotho and Nigeria in fixtures critical for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Mofokeng’s performance at club level will determine his place on the global stage, including the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. A strong season could pave the way for a high-profile transfer to one of Europe’s top five leagues after the tournament.
In addition to the World Cup, Mofokeng has the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals to showcase his talent. Bafana have qualified and will compete in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. They are set to play Angola, Egypt, and Zimbabwe in the group stage, offering Mofokeng the chance to make his tournament debut.
Mofokeng has already completed two full seasons with Pirates. He ended the last campaign with 27 goal contributions and had 11 in his debut season. His performances earned nominations for Footballer of the Season, Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season, Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season, MTN8 Last Man Standing, and Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player.
Since making his Bafana debut last November, Mofokeng has accumulated nine caps. The next year will be crucial for his development, offering opportunities to solidify his role at Pirates, impress on the international stage, and attract interest from top overseas clubs.
