Relebohile Mofokeng was at his best and had a hand in both goals as Orlando Pirates beat Magesi FC 2-0 on Saturday evening. South African football fans witnessed theRelebohile Mofokengof old on Saturday asOrlando Pirates dazzled in their 2-0 win over Magesi FC. In front of a packed Orlando Stadium –now Orlando Amstel Arena– Mofokeng was back to his best, and the Magesi players couldn’t handle him.
The 21-year-old created Yanela Mbuthuma’s opening goal. For the second, Mbuthuma returned the favour as Mofokeng buried it into the back of the net for 2-0. That performance was what got South Africans so excited about “President yama2000”.
It’s also what alerted various clubs abroad to his enormous potential. A move abroad hasn’t materialised, and he’s often struggled this season, or been left out of the starting eleven.That has led many to wonder if the pressure of expectation, and watching fellow youngsters Mohau Nkota and Mbekezeli Mbokazi seal moves overseas was affecting him. However, Saturday’s performance is a promising sign that the player we all fell in love with is getting back to his best.Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddouwill now be hoping for more of the same in their next outing in the league, away toAmaZuluon Tuesday.
[paywall]
That is a high stakes game in itself. WithMamelodi SundownsandKaizer Chiefsnot involved in theBetway Premiershipthis week, the winner of the clash in Durban will find themselves top of the league. Beyond the result and the immediate log implications, there were deeper reasons for optimism for Pirates.
The confidence in his play was what stood out. He demanded the ball, ran at defenders and made decisions early. Those were the traits that defined his breakout period.
Ouaddou has spoken about managing young talent carefully, and Mofokeng’s recent spell out of the starting line-up may yet prove a blessing in disguise. A reset can be crucial for a player carrying heavy expectation, and Saturday suggested that hunger is returning. The challenge now is consistency.
One standout performance reignites belief, but the real test is backing it up against strong opposition and under pressure. AmaZulu away, with real consequences at the top of the table, will offer a clearer measure. If he can influence that game in similar fashion, the narrative around his season will shift quickly. For Pirates, a confident Mofokeng could be the difference between promise and silverware – and a reminder that his story is still his to write.
[/paywall]
