Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng faces the possibility of missing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The 21-year-old has been absent from the Buccaneers’ lineup since sustaining an injury against Siwelele, missing a total of eight matches for both club and country.
Despite Mofokeng’s absence, the Pirates have enjoyed considerable success, winning five out of their last six matches.
On Tuesday, they defeated Magesi FC to advance to the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout. This strong performance means Mofokeng will have to work hard to secure his spot in the starting eleven upon his return.
Mofokeng’s chances of making the AFCON squad appear slim
He hasn’t had a standout season, and his injury has relegated him to a lower position in the pecking order. At Pirates, Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi have emerged as key players, with Moremi particularly impressing and likely to keep Mofokeng on the bench when he regains fitness.
Abdeslam Ouaddou could impact Mofokeng’s AFCON prospects. Mofokeng prefers to play as a left winger, where he has found success. In the past season, efforts to reposition him as a number 10 have not yielded positive results. However, if Ouaddou can transition him to a playmaking role, there may still be a chance for him to make the Bafana squad.
To secure his spot at AFCON, Mofokeng needs to deliver strong performances in November, accumulating goals and assists upon his return from injury.
Unfortunately, with only the league and the Carling Knockout left to play for, he has fewer than ten matches to impress coach Hugo Broos.
The Bafana coach is a big fan of Mofokeng and even if he doesn’t select him in his 23-man AFCON squad, he’ll be the first player on his standby list.