Youth Coach: ‘Relebohile Mofokeng scored 39 goals in 34 matches'
Since his senior debut in May 2023, the 20-year-old Sharpville-born attacker has delivered just 16 goals in 81 matches for Orlando Pirates. According to his former youth coach at the School of Excellence, Masimanyane Xali, Mofokeng has far better ability in front of goal.
'The one thing I feel is still missing from Rele is goals,' Xali told iDiski Times .
'He is not scoring enough for Pirates. When he was at the School [of Excellence], the boy scored many goals. In his matric year, he scored 39 goals in about 34 matches. I'd like to see him scoring more at Pirates.
The coach also reminisced about the early days he saw the Bafana Bafana international and how he and other coaches could see his potential.
'I first met him when he was 12 and still doing Grade 7,' added Xali.
'He would come to the School for training on Fridays and played matches on weekends and then go back home yet even in that short period, it was clear the boy was a bit special. As a player he had great technical ability and football intelligence. I remember one time, the late James Mabena telling me that 'this boy is going to drive the country crazy'.
'Rele was still very young then, but Coach James could see his potential. And he's doing exactly that right now.'
Meanwhile, Mofokeng and the Sea Robbers face Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League second-leg semifinals on Friday. Kick off will be at 20:00 from the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt. The first-leg tie ended 0-0 at the FNB Stadium last Saturday.
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