Player Profile: Relebohile Mofokeng

Country: South Africa

Birthdate: 23 October, 2004

Position: Winger, Midfielder

Teams: Orlando Pirates

Nickname: President yama2K

Career Trophies: 1 x Nedbank Cup, 2 x MTN8

Personal life

Relebohile Mofokeng was born in Sharpeville, Gauteng to former Tembu Royals footballer Sechaba Mofokeng and Naomi Mofokeng. He initially used his mother's maiden name, Ratomo, but later changed his surname to Mofokeng after his parents got married.

He grew up in the township but was sent to boarding school at the age of 13 to access better opportunities, with his mother seeing him once a month for the next five years

In February 2025, he was rewarded with a new car (VW Polo) by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in recognition of his sporting achievements.

Career

Mofokeng is another youth product of the Transnet School of Excellence. He joined Orlando Pirates as part of an agreement with two Betway Premiership sides, which also saw Siyabonga Mabena move to Mamelodi Sundowns.

The tricky midfielder then spent the next two season's with Orlando Pirates reserve team, with his impressive display's in the DStv Diski Challenge leading up to an invite to train with the first team.

He was named on Jose Riviero's senior team bench for the first time in a 2-0 victory away to Richards Bay. The winger was an unused substitute for two more matches against Chippa United and TS Galaxy before being his debut in a 1-1 draw against Royal AM.

Mofokeng was instrumental in Orlando Pirates goal that day, with his shot deflecting off Elias Domingues (Pelembe) and going in the net as an own goal.

He would be handed a second start against Amazulu in Durban for the final match of the 2022/23 season, going on to score his first goal for AmaBhakaniya and provide an assist for Monnapule Saleng in 4-0 rout on the KwaZulu-Natal outfit.

Wolverhampton Wanderers then invited the then 19-year-old Mofokeng for assessment for a few weeks, following his impressive start to Premier Soccer League football.

The 2023/24 season saw Mofokeng start the first five league matches and feature in the CAF Champions League preliminary round fixtures against Djabal d'Iconi, as well as the second-leg match against Jwaneng Galaxy, a game in which he missed a crucial penalty in the shootout, eliminating the Buccaneers before the group stages.

However, a week later, he would feature again off the bench as the Soweto giants defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 on penalties, to lift the 2023/24 MTN8 title.

Mofokeng went on to be the star of the show in the sold-out Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, producing a dazzling piece of skill to beat Bongani Zungu before poking his shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to seal a 2-1 victory.

This final also remarkably marked his 50th appearance for the senior team at just 19, earning him the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament.

He also bagged the 2023/24 DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season before being an integral part of former Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro's 2024/25 campaign.

He featured prominently as the Mayfair-based team won the MTN 8 title again, reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, finished second in the Betway Premiership, and were runners-up in the 2024/25 Nedbank Cup.

International Career

Mofokeng represented the South Africa Under-20 team on five occasions, scoring two goals for Amajita.

He was called up to the final Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Group C opponents Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

In June 2024, South Africa's coach Hugo Broos handed him his debut as an injury-time substitute for Oswin Appollis, in a 3-1 win against Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium.

He was handed his first start for the national side in the 2-0 win against Lesotho, opening the scoring in the 60th minute following a mazy run and perfect assist from Esperance's Elias Mokwana.

Mandla Ncikazi proud of his role in Orlando Pirates' growth