Relebohile Mofokeng: Why Hugo Broos must unleash Orlando Pirates star on Cameroon

Bafana Bafana will have their date with destiny when they take on Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 in Marrakech on Sunday.

Hugo Broos will come up against his former team in what will be a major test for his side as they look to make it to the quarter-final, where a potential meeting with hosts and tournament favourites Morocco awaits.

To have a chance in the game, South Africa will need to get it right in midfield and defence, but also score at the other end and there are compelling reasons why Orlando Pirates forward Relebohile Mofokeng needs to start.

Mofokeng has so far played just 21 minutes, having come on as a 69^th minute substitute against Egypt, when South Africa were on the back foot and struggling to break down 10 men who were leading 1-0.

Mbule yet to light up AFCON 2025

That is surprising for the hugely talented player when the team has been bereft of creativity in their first three games.

Sipho Mbule has been playing in the No.10 role behind a front three of Lyle Foster upfront, Oswin Appollis on the left and either Mohau Nkota or Tshepang Moremi on the right.

However, MasterChef is yet to cook something delicious at AFCON and while he possesses the quality, he needs help and here is where Mofokeng comes in.

Mofokeng can play either on the right, left wing or in the No.10 role although he is most effective on the left, taking on defenders while cutting in on his strong right foot.

Why do Bafana need Rele against Cameroon?

That might mean Appollis is shifted to the right but it is a sacrifice worth making. If not, he can play behind Foster in the ‘10 role.’

Fearless, fleetfooted, intelligent and blessed with pace, Mofokeng ticks most boxes on why Broos needs to start him.

The Pirates star is good at taking on defenders one-on-one, has an eye for a good pass, can stretch defences while he also has a great finishing ability.

This would make him a creator and scorer for Bafana Bafana in a game where they need a quick start and will not get many opportunities from.

Mofokeng is a big-game player

Mofokeng also has a knack for delivering in big games like he did in the 2024 Nedbank Cup final, the MTN8 finals of last season and this term as well as the Carling Knockout final just before AFCON 2025.

This ability to produce clutch moments as well as the intelligence to open up tight defences make him a player who needs to be unleashed from the start and not a panic sub who is thrown on when the pressure is high and the team is trailing like the case against Egypt.

Cameroon have scored four goals and let in just two so far while Bafana Bafana have scored six but conceded four and with such a defence, there are no guarantees that South Africa will shut out the Indomitable Lions.

Outscoring the opponent will therefore be crucial on Sunday and Broos would be best advised to unleash Rele from the start to try and score early to calm the nerves.