Before Relebohile Mofokeng became a household name at Orlando Pirates and subsequently secured a high-profile move to European outfit Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, the young star was almost snapped up by Mamelodi Sundowns.
According to former Sundowns head coach and current Pyramids FC boss Rulani Mokwena, he spotted Mofokeng’s immense potential while the winger was still honing his craft at the School of Excellence. Speaking in an interview with the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA), Mokwena recalled how he immediately reached out to the club’s youth hierarchy after watching Mofokeng shine in an Engen Knockout Challenge match against Orlando Pirates.
“Immediately I got onto the phone to Shawn [Bishop], who was the Head of Youth and Methodology and Coaching with the academy at Sundowns. And I said, ‘Shawn, there’s a number 10 that you have to sign at School of Excellence,'” Mokwena shared.
The Battle for Mofokeng’s Signature
While Mokwena was eager to bring the talented teenager to Chloorkop, Sundowns faced fierce competition. The tactician revealed that Orlando Pirates moved with exceptional urgency to secure the youngster’s services.
Ultimately, Mofokeng chose the Buccaneers, spending four formative years—including three stellar seasons in the senior team—before making his July transfer to Belgium. Reflecting on the sliding doors moment, Mokwena acknowledged that while he initially wanted him at Sundowns, Pirates provided the vital platform the player needed to explode onto the senior stage:
“He could have been at Sundowns, but then we wouldn’t know whether the story would be the same or not. But Orlando Pirates was very important for him because they gave him the opportunity to play.”
