LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — The international clamor for Orlando Pirates’ wunderkind Relebohile Mofokeng has hit a fever pitch. Following his world-class exploits in Bafana Bafana’s historic 1-0 World Cup triumph over South Korea, former Manchester United midfielder and South African football icon Quinton Fortune has passionately insisted that the 21-year-old must leave the Betway Premiership immediately to save his talent from being “wasted.”
Mofokeng’s mesmerizing dribbling and fearless attacking transition play in North America have captivated global scouts, with French Ligue 1 heavyweights AS Monaco reportedly leading the chasing pack for the Sharpeville-born maestro’s signature.
Fortune: “South Africa Can No Longer Contain This Talent”
Speaking as a studio analyst on Sporty TV, Fortune didn’t hold back his frustration regarding elite South African talent staying domestic for too long. The former Red Devil urged the Sea Robbers’ management to greenlight a European move before the 2026/27 season kicks off.
“The only thing I wanted to say when I saw him is that he needs to leave South Africa. This talent is a waste [if he stays]… I want that talent to go to the next level. Playing at that level against such a top team in the group and putting on that performance—oh my goodness. He’s got to go. I’m not being the bad person here, but he has to go.”
The Rise of Mofokeng: By The Numbers
Mofokeng’s meteoric rise from the Pirates Academy to the global stage is backed by elite structural data over the past season:
- Club Appearances: 36 matches across all competitions for Orlando Pirates.
- Direct Goal Contributions: 11 goals scored, 9 assists provided.
- World Cup Impact: Instrumental in driving Bafana Bafana to their first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds (Round of 32).
Selection Dilemmas Loom Large for Sunday
As the off-field transfer saga intensifies, Mofokeng’s immediate focus remains pinned on Hollywood. Bafana Bafana are actively preparing for their highly anticipated Round of 32 single-elimination clash against tournament co-hosts Canada at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this Sunday (21:00 SAST).
With Ligue 1 scouts expected to flood the stadium, another blockbuster performance from Mofokeng could seal a record-breaking transfer fee for the Mayfair-based giants.
