Kaizer Chiefs & Bafana Bafana legend weighs in on Orlando Pirates Relebohile Mofokeng’s AFCON chances

Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng is among the stars who are at risk of missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

The youngster has not hit the high standards he had set with the Bucaneers partly due to injuries and speculations about his future which unsettled him. The versatile attacker had been linked with a move to top clubs in the continent and overseas, but nothing concrete came forth.

Recently, Bafana Bafana played Zambia in an international friendly, but Mofokeng didn't make the squad due to fitness concerns. Now there are questions being asked about his chances to represent Mzansi in AFCON.

Mofokeng needs to work double his shift

Siyabonga Nomvethe, who also played for Orlando Pirates, insists the 21-year-old deserves to go to AFCON but has to earn it.

“Sometimes it happens in football, it’s normal [Mofokeng being dropped from Bafana squad]. But I believe he is doing well, he is young, and he deserves to be in the national team. Yes, he deserves to go to AFCON,” he told FARPost.

“I would say he just needs to work double shift, he must work hard even after training, that extra effort, extra session. You need to bring the fitness level higher, and he is still young. You can play even two or three games in a week, if you have the energy. 

“He mustn’t put himself under pressure. Bring back his performance on a higher level. In football, these things happen; maybe opponents now know him, and they tightly mark him. Everyone just wants to do their best against him,” he added.

Mofokeng must work hard but deserves to go to Europe

As a former footballer, I know players talk about how to contain this and that player. They will even plan to kick you as a solution. Nobody wants you to get the ball,” he added.

“It’s the same as me, when I was playing, they knew that I was good and I had speed, so they would kick me. Mofokeng must just know this and continue working hard.

“He is contracted to Pirates, but I’m sure Pirates have to decide to sell him. He is ready to go abroad. I feel he can go and do well if he gets an opportunity. AFCON and the World Cup are big opportunities to get a club in Europe,” Nomvethe concluded.