Relebohile Mofokeng is into the first of 12 months that could have a defining influence to the rest of his career.
Mofokeng has had his name in the headlines in transfer talks during the this window with reports suggesting moves to start out at a new club in Europe and the Middle East.
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To date none of that has transpired with the 20-year-old still at Orlando Pirates and having featured in all three matches played by the club to date.
The relevance of the significance of this season is evident.
Having now broken into the Bafana Bafana squad, Mofokeng needs to continue playing club football regularly, scoring goals and providing assists just like he did last season to remain in the eyes of Hugo Broos.
Bafana, who enjoy a five-point lead in Group C with four matches to spare, play Lesotho and Nigeria within the next four weeks in games that stand to enhance qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The global stage will be top of the list for Mofokeng just like any other footballer across the world.
For the Pirates winger to make to the tournament in USA/Canada/Mexico from June 11 – July 19 he has to be in fine form at his club.
After next year’s World Cup there is little to doubt that The Bucs will be without any hesitation in allowing for his move broad – which by then should hopefully come with a bigger transfer from clubs in the top five leagues in Europe.
Even prior to the World Cup, there will be yet another massive tournament opportunity at the AFCON finals.
Bafana have long qualified and will be in Morocco for the showcase scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
There has already been confirmation that Bafana will be in the same group with Angola (December 22), Egypt (December 26), and Zimbabwe (December 29).
Should Mofokeng be in that squad he will be making his debut appearance at the tournament.
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Mofokeng has completed two full seasons in the first team at Pirates and ended the past campaign with 27 goals/assists while he had 11 in his first.
His works from last term earned him nominations for the Footballer of the Season, Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season, Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season, MTN8 Last Man Standing, and the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player.
Mofokeng made his Bafana debut last November and now has nine caps.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
