Why Relebohile Mofokeng Chose Orlando Pirates Over Sundowns – Father Reveals All

In a heartfelt interview with Soccer Laduma, Sechaba Mofokeng, the father of fast-rising football star Relebohile Mofokeng, has shed light on the decisive moment that steered his son toward Orlando Pirates instead of Mamelodi Sundowns — a choice that would later shape one of the most promising careers in South African football.

According to Sechaba, Sundowns had been showing consistent interest in the young talent, going as far as making repeated visits to the family home to express their intent.

“I’ll be honest. May his soul rest in peace – there was a Sundowns scout, a good man, I forgot his name, but he used to come to our house every weekend, without fail,” Sechaba recalled. “He told us they were very interested and would come back with an official offer. We said okay, we’ll wait.”

But while Sundowns were still planning their next move, Orlando Pirates made theirs — quickly and decisively.

“That same night, Pirates knocked on our door. They didn’t say, ‘We’ll come back tomorrow.’ They said, ‘We’re here now, and we want your son.’ You could tell they really meant business.”

In that moment, the family turned to Relebohile to make the call for himself. Despite the attention from the reigning DStv Premiership champions, his decision was instant.

“We called Rele and asked him straight: ‘There’s Sundowns, and there’s Pirates. Who do you want to play for?’ He didn’t hesitate. ‘I want to play for Pirates,’ he said.”

The very next day, Pirates returned to formalize the process. With Relebohile still underage at the time, the club worked through the proper channels, including his youth academy, the School of Excellence. His parents signed the necessary paperwork to facilitate the move.

Since joining the Buccaneers, Mofokeng’s rise has been rapid. His performances have not only earned him a key role at the club but also put him firmly on the radar of scouts in Europe, where interest in the young playmaker continues to grow.

The story of his decision to join Orlando Pirates highlights the importance of timing, intent, and trusting the instincts of a young footballer who knew exactly where he wanted to be — and who is now reaping the rewards.