Mofokeng’s ‘well deserved’ four PSL award nods hailed as perfect farewell, says Pirates legend

Relebohile Mofokeng’s four Premier Soccer League (PSL) award nominations are a fitting reward for a title-winning season and the perfect send-off to Europe, according to Orlando Pirates great Lucky Lekgwathi.

Young star leaves on a high

The 21-year-old attacker, who has joined Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, played a central role in Pirates’ trophy-laden 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign before his move abroad.

Mofokeng helped the Soweto giants to four trophies, including the league title, in what is widely viewed as a breakout season cementing his status as one of South Africa’s brightest prospects.

His performances have now been recognised with four major nominations at the upcoming PSL Awards: – PSL Footballer of the Season – Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season – Betway Premiership Midfielder of the Season – Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season (U21)

The winners will be announced on Monday, 27 July.

Goals, assists and consistency

Mofokeng delivered both end product and influence for Pirates over the course of the campaign.

He scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in 27 Betway Premiership matches, and also featured eight times in domestic cup competitions. In the Carling Knockout Cup he added a further goal, underlining his impact across all fronts as Pirates swept to multiple titles.

Lekgwathi believes that statistical return, combined with Mofokeng’s consistency, fully justifies the recognition from the league and his peers.

“I think Rele’s nominations, all of them are well deserved because of the good season he had,” Lekgwathi told iDiski Times.

“Last season he lost to [Lucas] Ribeiro in the Footballer of the Season category, and he didn’t lose confidence but continued working hard.

“I was looking at all the nominations they are well deserved and it will be a good send off for him [to Union].”

From near-miss to major contender

Lekgwathi highlighted Mofokeng’s response to last season’s disappointment, when he missed out on the flagship Footballer of the Season award to Lucas Ribeiro, as a key part of his development.

Instead of letting the setback affect his form, the former Pirates defender says Mofokeng used it as motivation to drive his game to a higher level.

The improvement has now positioned the winger not only among the league’s best young players, but also as a genuine contender for the overall Footballer of the Season prize.

Pirates’ winning core in focus

Lekgwathi also pointed to the wider picture of Pirates’ successful season, suggesting that the club’s domestic dominance and individual awards underline the strength of their current core of players.

“Just imagine playing for another team, coming home to collect the awards, even player of the tournament for the Carling Knockout Cup with regards to [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi,” he said, referencing other Pirates performers in the frame for honours.

With Mofokeng now beginning a new chapter in Belgium, Lekgwathi believes his potential farewell haul at the PSL Awards would not only cap off a remarkable season, but also symbolise the growing export of South African talent to European leagues.

The ceremony later this month will determine whether the highly rated youngster’s final act in South African football is accompanied by the game’s biggest individual accolade.