Smiso Msomi
Kaizer Chiefs legend Mandla Masango believes Bafana Bafana gem Relebohile Mofokeng could become one of the best players the country has ever produced.
Now 34 and out of the professional football scene, the ex-Amakhosi man watched as the young Orlando Pirates winger came on in the second half for the South African national team and dazzled at the Orlando Stadium on Friday.
The 19-year-old was the pick of the bunch, alongside teammate Thalente Mbatha, as Bafana rescued a point against Uganda in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Many will expect head coach Hugo Broos to possibly reward Mofokeng, even at this early age, with a starting berth away at South Sudan on Tuesday.
Wow!!! Such drama!!! pic.twitter.com/bfUdrlXgiX
Undoubtedly, the Vaal-born sensation has captured the hearts of all South African football fans as he continues to be the brightest star in domestic football over the past 18 months.
Nicknamed “The Last Born” of the nation, Mofokeng has been earmarked as the one to take over from his idol Thembinkosi Lorch and Bafana teammate Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns).
His best moment in a Pirates shirt came when he scored a stoppage-time winner in the Nedbank cup as the Sea Robbers overcame Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final. Mofokeng has also earned the respect of one of the most electrifying wingers to grace the league in the past 15 years, Masango.
A former Bafana man himself, Masango said he was disappointed with the exclusion of Mofokeng in Bafana’s Afcon squad in January, an expression that has seemingly become prophetic.
Dream Bafana Debut for Mbatha ☠️
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) September 7, 2024
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways
Hailed as “Mzimba Shaker” in his heyday, the 34-year-old shared the field with some of the finest of his generation, and he believes that if protected, Mofokeng could reach similar heights.
Speaking at the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup in Ulundi, where he was part of a Kaizer Chiefs legends team that featured the likes of Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Jabu Mahlangu, he predicted great things for the Pirates youngster.
“I think the sky’s the limit for Rele and I like the fact that he’s very humble and he just gets down to business and he’s very direct,” he said. “I like the fact that his game has also grown in terms of stats (in recent months), if you look at the games he plays, he gives assists and scores goals.”
Masango also said he hoped the next step for the young attacker would be a move abroad, something he hopes will come to fruition at the end of the current season.
“I hope this is his final season in South Africa and he moves abroad. I hope he stays grounded because I heard he still lives at the clubhouse. He could be one of the best (ever), if not the best.”
Mofokeng and Bafana will look to finish the international break having collected four points, with their next away fixture kicking off at 3pm tomorrow.