‘He is not a winger’ – Mofokeng told to forget wing role as Broos names best position

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has declared that he will no longer play Relebohile Mofokeng as a winger.

The Orlando Pirates attacker has been deployed on the wing since bursting onto the scene with occasional appearances in the No.10 role but this season, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has utilised him more centrally behind the striker.

That aligns with how Broos views the 21-year-old and has made it clear that Rele will no longer be running at full-backs out wide but will be played behind the main striker because he possesses key qualities that do not get noticed when he is deployed on the wings.

Broos on why Mofokeng is not a winger

“He’s not a winger, Rele is not a winger,” Broos told the media on Thursday as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

“I will see now if he can satisfy us in that position [No.10]. For me, he will not play anymore on the wings, because I don’t think he’s a winger. He doesn’t have the qualities to be a good winger. I think he has the qualities to be a good number 10.”

Broos feels the Pirates star’s ability to scan his environment and operate in tight spaces while threading defence-splitting passes is best suited when used centrally and not on the wing, expressing belief that the young forward will thrive in the No.10 role.

“Because there [No.10] with his intelligence, with his qualities, he can help the team a lot,” added Broos. “It’s up to him now, I will give him the chance, and we will see what that brings.”

Pirates star has chance to impress Bafana boss

Mofokeng was among the 23 who made Bafana Bafana’s final squad for two friendly matches against Panama in Durban on March 27 and in Cape Town on March 31 as Broos looks to assess his players ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

He will be hoping to impress Broos and nail down a place in the team given the No.10 position has become a problematic area for Broos in the wake of Themba Zwane’s injury woes.

Patrick Maswangayi and Sipho Mbule have played there but did not set the stage alight and have not even made the final squad for the friendly matches, giving Mofokeng, who has four goals and three goals in his last eight league games, an opportunity to stake claim.