Latest news with #Sharpville-born
The South African
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Zwane says Orlando Pirates star is the best in SA
Orlando Pirates superstar Relebohile Mofokeng will be flashing that big smile of his after reading this post. As far as the balance of votes, Mamelodi Sundowns superstar Lucas Ribeiro still has a slight edge over Mofokeng. According to AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane, Mofokeng has been very special for carrying a big club like Orlando Pirates at the age of 20. The Sharpville-born player, who joined the Sea Robbers at the age of 17 from the School of Excellence, grabbed 12 goals and laid 14 assists in 47 matches. 'I don't want to sound controversial, but I think you look at Rele – I think he carried Orlando Pirates,' Zwane said via iDiski Times . Relebohile Mofokeng in action for Orlando Pirates against Cape Town City FC at the DHL Stadium. Image: @safootclassics/X 'But Rele as a youngster doing what he's done this past season, carrying a giant on his shoulder, I think it was something else, it was amazing. 'We need players like him, so others see him performing at this level. And now he's definitely going to go to the World Cup – I don't want people to say I'm picking him; I'm not the national coach. But looking at how coach Broos does, and he integrated to the senior national team,' Zwane added on the Orlando Pirates attacker. 'For him it was a big jump because he never played for the U20, maybe the previous players, but because he's an exceptional talent. There is no doubt about he's gonna make AFCON and the World Cup. 'Also, credit must be given to their coaches – all those coaches from School of Excellence, Orlando Pirates, Jose [Riveiro], Duku Duku Makhanya, who spotted the talent and made life easy for the first team as well to get players promoted,' Zwane added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Youth Coach: ‘Relebohile Mofokeng scored 39 goals in 34 matches'
Orlando Pirates attacker Relebohile Mofokeng is not showing us his maximum ability. 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. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
