Hugo Broos backs Relebohile Mofokeng to rediscover his best form

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has backed Orlando Pirates midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng to rediscover his best form.

Mofokeng made the cut for Broos’ 23-man squad to take on Lesotho and Benin over the course of the next two weeks to continue their attempt to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be hosted in North America jointly by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.

The 20-year-old has been a key member of Jose Riveiro and the Bucaneers league title-chasing side, and with them taking part in every competition this season, including their continued participation in the CAF Champions League, and Mofokeng has been heavily involved in their busy schedule.

Games have been coming thick and fast and with Pirates constantly on the hunt for Mamelodi Sundowns throughout the season, their depth and quality within their squad have been put to the ultimate test.

Mofokeng has played all 18 of Pirates League games and with a bit of a dip in form and fatigue creeping in towards the latter stages of the season, the upcoming international break could be a welcomed change of scenery for the former Diski Challenge player.

Bafana mentor Broos has thrown his weight behind the youngster but he has also said the 20-year-old is the only one that can overcome his recent curveball.

“I knew this was going to happen,” Broos said when asked about Mofokeng’s season so far.

“There is so much around Rele at the moment, teams that are interested in him; there has been a lot said about this, and also the pressure on him.

“Eight months ago, nobody knew Mofokeng and then he suddenly exploded into the scene with Pirates and he became a very good player.

“Everybody started expecting I do not know what from him, and he is still only 20-years-old and he has only been playing for a team like Pirates for only a year now.

“You can see that he is carrying a lot, and you cannot drop him now because his level is lower. I will always support him, but he has to get over this and it's up to him.”

The talented attacker has been seen as one of the best players not only to emerge out of the Pirates development system but from anywhere around the country.

And it is with that reason that many have already started having the conversation about him possibly moving on from Pirates in the future with his potential possibly linking him to one of the best clubs and leagues around the world, and Broos believes it could be something that is also playing on his mind.

“He plays in a team that in any certain moment could be champions, so they expect more from him than six or seven months ago and this is a normal evolution with a young player who is certainly on a high level.

“People start expecting a lot of him and there is a lot of interest and it affects you. One can say 'it's my agent's duty to do this and that' but somewhere in the head you’re also thinking about 'where I'm going to play next year? Will I leave Pirates? For which team am I going to play for?'

“So its totally normal that Rele is not achieving the level he used to achieve a few months ago but from my side he will always be supported because he is a very good player.”