While former Orlando Pirates teammates Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia) and Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, MLS) secured high-profile international moves this season, the highly-rated Relebohile Mofokeng remains at Mayfair.
Despite interest from the MLS and the Middle East, the 21-year-old sensation is still waiting for the right European suitor to make a formal move. According to club legends, the reason for the delay might be as simple as “supply and demand.”
Why Nkota and Mbokazi Moved First
Orlando Pirates legend Eugene Zwane has shed light on why Mofokeng’s peers were snapped up so quickly. The global football market currently faces a significant shortage of elite left-footed talent.
- Nkota & Mbokazi: As natural left-footers, both players entered a “seller’s market.” Scouts from the MLS and Saudi Pro League prioritized their signatures due to the rarity of their profile.
- The Mofokeng Challenge: While undeniably talented, Mofokeng is a right-footed playmaker—a category Zwane describes as having an “oversupply” globally. To secure a move to a top European league, Mofokeng must prove he is not just good, but statistically superior to the vast pool of right-footed midfielders worldwide.
AFCON 2025: The Ultimate Shop Window
Mofokeng’s immediate future may depend on his involvement in the ongoing AFCON 2025. After being an unused substitute in Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 win over Angola, the pressure is on for the youngster to earn minutes against Egypt or Zimbabwe.
A standout performance on the continental stage is exactly what the winger needs to convince European scouts that his right foot offers a level of “X-factor” that justifies a major transfer fee.
The Preferred Destination
Sources close to the player suggest that while big-money offers from the MLS and Saudi Arabia have been discussed, Mofokeng’s heart is set on Europe. By staying at Pirates for now, he avoids the “stepping stone” route, holding out for a direct path to one of the world’s elite footballing regions.
