Relebohile Mofokeng remains at Orlando Pirates while teammates move abroad, and club great Benedict Vilakazi has urged patience, focus and belief that his moment will come.
Bafana Bafana attacker Relebohile Mofokeng has stayed put at the Rand Stadium following Mohau Nkota’s move to Al Ettifaq and Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s imminent departure to Chicago Fire.
BENEDICT VILAKAZI’S MESSAGE TO RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG
Mofokeng was the first among the trio to break into the senior team and is arguably the most gifted. Despite that, Nkota left for Saudi Arabia after 37 senior games, while Mbokazi will follow to the USA after 39 games.
Vilakazi has said Mofokeng shouldn’t panic, as every player’s journey unfolds differently and his own time will come if he stays focused and keeps working hard. “Everyone has their own time,” Vilakazi said via Soccer Laduma. “His time will come, he just needs to remain focused, work hard, and trust who he is.”
Borrowing from Zulu wisdom, Vilakazi said: izinhlanhla zabantu azifani (people’s luck doesn’t always come at the same moment). “When the right time comes, he’ll give his best.
The Pirates legend cautioned against comparing paths: Mofokeng’s journey is his own. “His name is Relebohile Mofokeng, not Nkota or Mbokazi,” Vilakazi said.
The player known as “President Yama 2000,” enjoyed marked his breakthrough season last term with 12 goals and 15 assists in 49 games. This term has kicked off slow with just three assists in 16 games.
CARLING KNOCKOUT FINAL
Meanwhile, Pirates are in Polokwane to battle Marumo Gallants in the 2025 Carling Knockout final, which could be Mofokeng’s fourth trophy in as many. The 21-year-old from Sharpeville, Gauteng, has lifted three MTN8 titles and one Nedbank Cup.