iDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye has made a huge plea with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to show faith in Relebohile Mofokeng and start him in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Mexico.
The two nations are in action in Group A at Estadio Azteca on Thursday (21:00 SA time) in a repeat of the 2010 tournament opener before facing Czech Republic and South Korea respectively.
This is the first time in 16 years South Africa are participating in the global showpiece. Though they enjoyed a dominant qualification campaign, their last three matches against what coach Broos called similar opponents to Mexico, Bafana didn’t get favourable results.
Khanye and some members of the iDiski TV crew are in Mexico courtesy of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
The former Kaizer Chiefs winger said though Mofokeng hasn’t really impressed him on the international stage, Broos should start him among the attackers as he might help Bafana get a goal.
“The coach has to show belief in Rele,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“True, he has never shown up at this international level but play him. Have belief in him, have faith. Even [Iqraam] Rayners should start. Rele even though he hasn’t really showed up at this level he gives me hope that we might get that one goal. But I honestly don’t see us getting something out of these guys.
“So Relebohile Mofokeng, Rayners and [Oswin] Appollis. Appollis is a very important experienced player as well. He got to Orlando Pirates and he rise. And another player I have belief in, I believe in Tebza [Teboho] Mokoena.
“I believe in those four players and others. And we shouldn’t concede. We don’t have to concede anything can happen.”
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