Who is Relebohile Mofokeng?

Relebohile Mofokeng is a professional South African footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership and the South Africa national team. Born on 23 October 2004 in Sharpeville, South Africa, Mofokeng stands at 1.66 meters tall and has become one of the most exciting young talents in South African football. He is a key member of the South Africa 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, bringing creativity, speed, and technical ability to Bafana Bafana’s attacking lineup.

Personal Information

• Full Name: Relebohile Mofokeng (born Relebohile Ratomo)

• Date of Birth: 23 October 2004

• Age: 21 years old (as of 2026)

• Place of Birth: Sharpeville, South Africa

• Height: 1.66 meters (5 feet 5 inches)

• Playing Positions: Attacking Midfielder, Left Winger

• Current Team: Orlando Pirates

• Squad Number: 38

• Youth Development: Transnet School of Excellence, Orlando Pirates DDC (2021–2023)

• Senior Career: Orlando Pirates (2023–present) – 120 appearances, 29 goals

• International Career: South Africa U20 (2022–present) – 5 caps, 2 goals | South Africa National Team (2024–present) – 9 caps, 2 goals

Early Life and Youth Career

Mofokeng grew up in Sharpeville, a township in Gauteng province known for producing talented footballers. His football journey began at the Transnet School of Excellence, a respected youth development academy in South Africa. His potential was evident from an early age, and a strategic transfer arrangement between two of South Africa’s biggest clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, saw Mofokeng join the Orlando Pirates academy. As part of the same deal, his teammate Siyabonga Mabena moved to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mofokeng quickly adapted to life at Orlando Pirates, impressing coaches and scouts with his performances for the reserve team in the DStv Diski Challenge. His technical ability, vision, and dribbling skills earned him invitations to train with the first team, signaling that a senior debut was not far away.

Club Career at Orlando Pirates

Mofokeng had featured on the bench for Orlando Pirates four times before finally receiving his first start for the club. That opportunity came in a DStv Premiership match against Royal AM on 3 May 2023. During that game, Mofokeng’s shot deflected off Royal AM’s Mozambican defender Domingues and found the back of the net. While the goal was officially recorded as an own goal because the initial shot was not on target, it marked a memorable debut for the young midfielder.

In only his second appearance for Orlando Pirates, Mofokeng announced himself to South African football fans with a goal and an assist in a dominant 4-0 victory over AmaZulu. This performance showed that the young star was ready for regular first-team football.

The 2025 Carling Knockout Cup final was a defining moment in Mofokeng’s career. He scored the winning goal in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory against Marumo Gallants, handing Orlando Pirates their second trophy of the season. According to Opta Jabu statistics, Mofokeng became the youngest player in PSL history to score in all three domestic cup finals, a remarkable achievement for a player still in his early twenties.

On 22 March 2026, Mofokeng scored his first career hat-trick in a stunning 6-0 win against TS Galaxy, further cementing his status as one of the most dangerous attackers in the South African top flight.

As of the 2025-26 season, Mofokeng has made over 120 appearances for Orlando Pirates across all competitions, scoring 29 goals and providing numerous assists. His consistency and big-game mentality have made him a fan favorite at the Orlando Stadium.

International Career with South Africa

Mofokeng represented South Africa at the youth level, playing for the South Africa U20 team at the 2022 COSAFA U-20 Cup. He scored two goals in five appearances during that tournament, showcasing his goal-scoring ability on the international stage.

His senior national team breakthrough came when he received his first call-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe in June 2024. Mofokeng made his debut for Bafana Bafana against Zimbabwe on 11 June 2024 at the Free State Stadium. He came on as a substitute for Oswin Appollis in added time, helping South Africa secure a 3-1 victory.

Mofokeng scored his first senior international goal against Lesotho during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. The goal came at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on 21 March 2025, a crucial strike that helped South Africa win 2-0 and maintain their push for World Cup qualification.

On 1 December 2025, Mofokeng was selected for the South Africa squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, marking his first major international tournament. His performances at AFCON helped Bafana Bafana gain valuable experience ahead of the 2026 World Cup. 

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2026 FIFA World Cup Selection

As of June 2026, Relebohile Mofokeng has been named in South Africa’s final 23-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is a historic moment for South African football, as Bafana Bafana return to the world stage. Mofokeng is expected to play a key role for South Africa in the tournament, with fans hoping his creativity and attacking flair can help the team make a deep run. The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and Mofokeng’s inclusion in the squad has generated excitement among South African football supporters.

Personal Life and Name Change

At the time of his move to Orlando Pirates, Relebohile was using his mother’s surname, Ratomo, because his parents were not yet married. Three weeks after his official registration with the club, he legally changed his last name to Mofokeng, which is his father’s surname. His father, Sechaba Mofokeng, is also a former professional footballer.

The name change was officially confirmed by Orlando Pirates on 4 August 2023, and from the 2023–24 season onward, Relebohile has been known as Relebohile Mofokeng. This personal journey reflects his connection to his family heritage and his father’s football legacy.

Career Statistics Summary

Mofokeng has compiled impressive statistics for both club and country. For Orlando Pirates, he has scored 16 league goals in 73 Premier Division appearances across four seasons. In cup competitions, he has added 2 goals in the Nedbank Cup, 1 goal in the Carling Knockout Cup, and 5 goals in continental competitions. His total goal tally for the Buccaneers stands at 26 goals in 117 matches across all competitions.

For the South Africa national team, Mofokeng has earned 9 caps and scored 2 goals as of the latest update. His first international goal came against Lesotho in World Cup qualifying, a crucial moment in his young career.

Honours and Achievements

Mofokeng has already collected an impressive collection of silverware with Orlando Pirates. He won the South African Premiership title in the 2025–26 season. In cup competitions, he has lifted the Nedbank Cup twice, winning the trophy in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. He has also won the MTN 8 three times consecutively, in the 2023–24, 2024–25, and 2025–26 seasons. The 2025–26 Carling Knockout Cup added another trophy to his collection.

Individually, Mofokeng has been recognized as the South African Premiership Young Player of the Season in both 2024 and 2025, a testament to his consistent performances over two years. He also received the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament award in 2024.

Why Relebohile Mofokeng is Key to South Africa’s 2026 World Cup Campaign

As South Africa prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mofokeng’s form will be crucial to Bafana Bafana’s success. His ability to play as an attacking midfielder or left winger gives coach Hugo Broos tactical flexibility. Mofokeng’s dribbling ability, close ball control, and eye for goal make him a constant threat to opposing defenses. At only 21 years old, he represents the future of South African football and has already proven himself on both domestic and international stages.

Fans following the 2026 World Cup will be watching Mofokeng closely, hoping he can produce the same match-winning performances for South Africa that he has delivered for Orlando Pirates. His journey from Sharpeville to the world stage is an inspiration to young footballers across South Africa.

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