Hugo Broos has made it clear that Relebohile Mofokeng will no longer be
deployed as a winger for Bafana Bafana, aligning with the tactical shift
recently implemented at Orlando Pirates.
Speaking at the final squad announcement at the SABC on Thursday, Broos
confirmed that he now sees the 21-year-old operating in a central attacking
role—rather than out wide, where he has featured in most of his 10
international appearances.
“He’s not a winger, Rele is not a winger,” Broos told reporters.
The national team coach’s stance mirrors that of Pirates head coach Abdeslam
Ouaddou, who has increasingly used Mofokeng in the number 10 position at
club level in recent matches.
“I will see now if I can satisfy us in that position. For me, he will not
play anymore on the wings, because I don’t think he’s a winger,” Broos
added.
“He doesn’t have the qualities to be a good winger. I think he has the
qualities to be a good number 10.”
Broos believes Mofokeng’s intelligence and technical ability make him better
suited to influencing the game from a central area, where he can have a
greater impact on the team’s attacking play.
“Because there, with his intelligence, with his qualities, he can help the
team a lot.”
The young attacker has been in impressive form domestically, registering
four goals and three assists in his last eight Betway Premiership matches—a
run that earned him the Player of the Month award for January and February.
His performances have been key in Pirates’ ongoing title push, though he has
yet to fully cement a regular starting spot in the national team.
“It’s up to him now, I will give him the chance, and we will see what that
brings,” Broos concluded.
