Relebohile Mofokeng produced a standout display as Bafana Bafana cruised to a 5-0 victory over Eritrea in their 2027 AFCON qualifying match in Cairo.
The Royale Union Saint-Gilloise attacker scored twice and combined his attacking threat with an impressive contribution when South Africa were out of possession.
Mofokeng Makes the Difference
Mofokeng opened the scoring in the 19th minute after being played through by Oswin Appollis before calmly finishing inside the box.
He then doubled South Africa’s advantage shortly before half-time, beating two Eritrean defenders with a skilful dribble before finding the corner of the net.
The two goals, however, only tell part of the story of his performance.
Mofokeng recorded six shots, four completed dribbles and three key passes. He also registered 95 touches and completed 81% of his passes.
Impressive Numbers Across the Pitch
The 19-year-old was equally effective defensively.
Mofokeng won all seven of his ground duels, made three interceptions and recorded 10 recoveries.
His four successful dribbles from four attempts were another indication of how difficult he was for Eritrea to contain throughout the contest.
His combination of attacking production, ball retention and defensive work made him one of the most influential players on the pitch as Bafana controlled the match.
Mofokeng’s Rise Continues
Mofokeng made his senior Bafana Bafana debut in June 2024, coming off the bench during South Africa’s 3-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Zimbabwe.
His development subsequently earned him the national team’s No. 10 shirt and places in squads for major tournaments, including the 2025 AFCON and 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Initially used primarily as an impact substitute, Mofokeng has gradually established himself as a more regular presence in the national team.
He scored his first senior international goal against Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier and was named Man of the Match in that fixture.
Following his latest performance against Eritrea, his international record stands at 17 caps and three senior goals, according to the figures supplied.
Another Statement From Mofokeng
For Pitso Mosimane, Mofokeng’s display provides another example of the attacking options available to Bafana Bafana.
The youngster’s ability to contribute both in the final third and defensively was particularly notable in a match South Africa dominated from start to finish.
With his role continuing to grow at international level, Mofokeng’s latest performance adds another chapter to the rapid development of one of Bafana’s emerging attacking talents.
