Relebohile Mofokeng’s renewed confidence offers hope for Orlando Pirates and Bafana

If Relebohile Mofokeng’s performance against Chippa United midweek was anything to go by, perhaps we can start murmuring that the jewel of South African football is nearing his best.

Mofokeng showed flashes of his old self against the Chilli Boys. He dictated play with his nippy feet and accurate passes. So much so that he was largely credited for the team’s opener, as he cut Chippa’s defence open brilliantly, finding Deon Hotto, who set up Evidence Makgopa.

Having watched the game from the box, captivated by his every move and having the pleasure of replays at my fingertips, I was certain he would walk away with the Player of the Match award.

But alas, it was his older brother, Hotto, who got the honours — another questionable call from our colleagues behind the mic.

I am sure, though, that plenty of us — yours truly included — who had been mesmerised by Mofokeng’s performance weren’t bothered that he didn’t get the award. He already has many in his collection, and even bigger accolades, despite only making his professional breakthrough just yesterday.

Seeing a flourishing Mofokeng had become somewhat of a bleak sight this season — the 21-year-old reportedly disturbed by the club’s disapproval of offers from overseas, particularly the Middle East, for his signature.

What must have added fuel to the fire is the fact that his buddy, Mohau Nkota, who made his top-flight debut only last season, had just left the club on a multimillion-rand move to join Saudi Arabia–based Al-Ettifaq.

And let’s be honest: Nkota’s life wasn’t only going to change on the pitch but off it as well. He would be earning far more than he received at Pirates — something that would be life-changing not only for him but for his family too. And I’m sure Mofokeng is not immune to seeing that happen to him.

Mofokeng’s dip in form was quite evident across the board. His old toppie at Bafana Bafana, Hugo Broos, did his best to protect one of his youngest and brightest stars by continuing to call him up for national team games, even though he kept him on the bench.

But, again, that wasn’t a pleasant sight. The Mofokeng we have come to know and appreciate as universal supporters of the beautiful game — and as members of the fourth estate — has always been at his happiest on the pitch, not a benchwarmer living through uncertainty.

But a short injury spell proved to be a silver lining. It’s clear that he had time to introspect away from the game and work on his mental fortitude, understanding that life continues even after a life-changing opportunity has passed him.

His resilience, as a result, has been quite evident before and after the Fifa break — a feat that augurs well for him and his career, especially with the AFCON finals in Morocco next month looming.

And having made the Bafana AFCON preliminary squad, there’s little to no doubt that he’ll make the final squad based on form and merit, instead of popularity or recognition of former qualities.

I say that because Mofokeng tends to be unplayable when he’s on form. And with him having decided most of Pirates’ triumphs in cup competitions over the last two-and-a-half seasons, he could very well be their main man against Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout final in Polokwane next Saturday.

You see, Mofokeng is not only regarded as one of the best players in the league by us — the media — but also by fellow opposition coaches and counterparts. Just last season, he was nominated for the coveted PSL Footballer of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards, proving his incredible depth.

So should he continue to be his happy self on the field — including against Durban City in Durban — and help Pirates leapfrog Sundowns to the summit ahead of the AFCON break, he’ll certainly be one of the players to look out for at AFCON.

And needless to say, his participation at AFCON — and possibly the World Cup in North America next year — could also open bigger and better offers than those that came for his services in winter.