Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos attributes the recent dip in form of Orlando Pirates star attacker, Relebohile Mofokeng, to external factors, stating that the slump is “something you can expect.”
Mofokeng, though called up to the national squad for the upcoming fixtures, hasn’t been at his best this season.
Mental Strain from Transfer Speculation
Broos said he isn’t surprised by the player’s struggle because Mofokeng was the subject of intense transfer speculation, with interest from numerous clubs during the off-season.
When a move didn’t materialize, Broos felt the situation affected Mofokeng mentally, making it difficult for him to overcome.
“What happens with Rele, you can expect that,” Broos said. “There was an interest from all over the world; every team wanted Rele, and I had a feeling that ‘Okay, this will affect him.’ This is not good for the player. At a certain moment, you are only thinking about that. You can’t focus anymore on football, and that is what is happening with Rele.”
It was this mental strain that led to Mofokeng not starting in either of the two FIFA World Cup qualifiers last month.
Injury Concern and Future Focus
To add to the player’s woes, Mofokeng, who was Pirates’ best player last season, picked up an injury in Pirates’ Carling Knockout Round of 16 victory over Siwelele at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
He was taken off and replaced by Kamogelo Sebelebele, and Broos has replaced him in the national team’s upcoming matches, with Mdu Shabalala taking his place.
Despite the current challenges, Broos affirmed his belief in the player. “But his qualities are still there, and I will not drop him like that. He’s with us, and we will try and get his confidence back so he can focus on football.”
Broos assured Mofokeng that his time to go abroad will eventually come, urging him to forget the past and focus back on football.
Qualification Stakes and Mofokeng’s Stats
Mofokeng hasn’t been as effective this season as he was last term. He has featured in 11 matches but has no goal contributions (neither a goal nor an assist) to his name this season.
Meanwhile, Broos’s side recently had three points docked for using an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the March World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho. This decision saw them bumped off the top spot of Group C, which is now held by Benin on goal difference.
Bafana Bafana is scheduled to play two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Zimbabwe, first at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October and then four days later at Mbombela Stadium.
In the African qualifiers, only the group winners automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The four best-placed runners-up will get a second chance via a play-off round.
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