How Relebohile Mofokeng’s title bet with Irvin Khoza led to a new home

Relebohile Mofokeng has become a homeowner after winning a bet with Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza following the club’s success in ending a 14-year wait for the league title.

The Bafana Bafana forward played a central role as Pirates won the Betway Premiership last season, contributing 10 goals and eight assists before leaving the South African club for Belgium.

Mofokeng had made a personal wager with Khoza over whether Pirates could return to the top of domestic football. The player agreed to pay R200,000 if the team failed to win the league, while Khoza promised to buy him a house of his choice if they triumphed.

The details of the agreement were revealed by Mofokeng’s father, Sechaba, during an interview on Season 2 of Giants.

“They made a bet: if they didn’t win the league, he (Mofokeng) would give the Chairman R200,000. But if they won the league, the Chairman would buy him any house of his choice,” Sechaba said.

He later confirmed that Khoza honoured the bet and purchased the property for Mofokeng.

The story also underlined the close relationship that developed between the chairman and the player during Mofokeng’s time at Orlando Pirates. According to Sechaba, their connection grew into a bond resembling that of a father and son.

Mofokeng, who was 21 when he was named PSL Player of the Season, has since moved on from the club and begun the next stage of his career in Europe.

He joined Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a lucrative contract and has adapted quickly, scoring five goals and providing four assists so far.

His performances have also strengthened his position with Bafana Bafana. Mofokeng helped South Africa make a winning start to their 2027 Afcon qualifying campaign, with victories over Guinea and Eritrea.

The attacker is expected to play another important role next month when South Africa face Kenya twice in the qualifiers. The first of those matches will take place at Orlando Stadium on November 13.

A strong display at his former home ground would help Bafana Bafana maintain their progress in the qualifying campaign, while also taking Mofokeng back to the stadium and club where he established himself and developed his close relationship with Khoza.