Pitso Mosimane says Relebohile Mofokeng can play bigger Bafana Bafana role

Pitso Mosimane has backed Relebohile Mofokeng to become a more important player for Bafana Bafana, saying the Royale Union Saint-Gilloise midfielder has shown he can operate effectively in several positions and formations.

Mofokeng, 21, has been deployed as both a left winger and a right winger during his career. Under former Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro, those were his main positions, and he initially continued in the wide roles after Abdeslam Ouaddou took charge.

Ouaddou later began using Mofokeng as a number 10, while former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos also selected him in that position. Broos maintained that the skilful midfielder was not a winger.

Mosimane, speaking on Thursday, stressed that he believes in Mofokeng and outlined the qualities he can bring to the national team.

“I don’t know if the coach did not believe in him. I have to go with what is right,” Mosimane said.

“I saw the boy playing very well in his last two games in the World Cup – he did well, he dribbled, he played in the different role of the 3-4-3 and he has been used as a 10 on the right in the formation of the 3-4-3 which he has never played in, and adjusting to that formation, scoring goals.”

Mosimane also pointed to the different roles Mofokeng has performed since his time at Orlando Amstel Arena.

“Remember at Orlando Amstel Arena we used to see him playing as a winger, suddenly he is a 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation. So the boy shows us he can play in different formations and wherever he has been playing, his been scoring or assisting.

“It’s good, let’s keep going with him, he is young. 2030 [World Cup] we need to build on that platform and give them a chance.

“He is scoring in Europe, in a high league.”

Mofokeng has made a strong start to life at USG in Belgium, scoring three goals in five league matches.

The former Orlando Pirates midfielder has also already won silverware with the club. USG lifted the Super Cup after beating Club Brugge, with Mofokeng scoring the deciding penalty in the victory.

Mosimane’s comments indicate that Mofokeng’s ability to adapt could give him a broader role in Bafana Bafana than he had under Broos. The 21-year-old’s record of scoring and assisting in different positions has strengthened his case for further opportunities as South Africa builds towards the 2030 World Cup.