Orlando Pirates legend explains why Relebohile Mofokeng is yet to move abroad

Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea has given reasons why he thinks Relebohile Mofokeng is yet to move abroad despite being considered the most talented youngster in the country.

Mofokeng, who has been voted the PSL Young Player for the last two seasons, has been linked with transfers abroad since 2024 but none is yet to materialise with players who have come after him securing lucrative moves overseas.

So far, Mofokeng has watched Mohau Nkota move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, Mbekezeli Mbokazi sign for Chicago Fire in the MLS before TS Galaxy star Puso Dithejane followed him this week.

However, the 21-year-old is still at Pirates and no club has been firmly reported to be in for him despite his immense talents and his standing in South Africa.

Have Pirates quoted a higher fee for Mofokeng?

“In football, you need luck. Mofokeng is the best young footballer in South Africa, but the likes of Mbokazi are the ones who went abroad before him,” Lekoelea told KickOff, adding that Pirates might have priced the forward out of a move by quoting a higher fee to his suitors.

“But another thing we don’t know is the deal Pirates and Mofokeng have in place because Mofokeng is a very good player, he should have left the country a long time ago.

“Only Pirates and Mofokeng know what their agreement is. Mofokeng is more than capable of playing overseas, and he does want to go overseas. But the problem is how both he and the club reach an agreement. Maybe the club values him more than what it’s been offered for his services at the moment.”

Lekoela, however, feels Mofokeng has to secure a move abroad quickly as he thinks the player might be hurting already from watching others leave while he is stuck at Pirates.

Bucs legend thinks Rele could be hurting

“And this thing of not getting an overseas deal is going to hurt him because he must be thinking, ‘I should have been the first one to leave.’. It’s going to hurt his performance,” he added. “Already his performance in the national team is no longer stable. Maybe that’s what is affecting him.”

“But I think the reason he is not overseas Mofokeng yet is because the club has not allowed him to yet, it’s not because he is not good for overseas football,” Lekoela further stated.

Mofokeng admitted early this month that he desires a move abroad and was looking to have a great Africa Cup of Nations campaign to put him in the shop window although Bafana Bafana exited at the Round of 16.

The Sharpeville-born winger has made 106 appearances for Pirates so far, scoring 19 goals and providing 25 assists.