Pitso Mosimane has praised Relebohile Mofokeng as “God’s gift” after the 21-year-old scored twice in Bafana Bafana’s 5-0 victory over Eritrea in Cairo on Wednesday.
The performance marked Mofokeng’s first official goals for South Africa, having failed to score in his previous 16 appearances for the national team.
His only previous goal for Bafana came in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Lesotho in March last year. However, Fifa later nullified that match after South Africa fielded the suspended Teboho Mokoena.
Mofokeng has also been in outstanding form for Belgian top-flight club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, whom he joined from Orlando Pirates in July. Across his last six matches for club and country, he has scored six goals and provided two assists.
“Rele is a top player, and he’s showing why he’s gone to Europe. And he’s scoring, by the way, in Europe … He’s not only scoring for us, he’s also been doing it at his club,” Mosimane said.
The South Africa coach believes Mofokeng’s responsibilities as a playmaker include making a regular contribution in front of goal.
“It’s good that we have Rele back, and that’s the most important thing. Rele must score goals and he’s scoring goals, so we know what he can do with the ball. He’s a magician on the ball, a clever and intelligent player,” he said.
Mosimane said he had made clear to Mofokeng that scoring should be a key part of his game as a number 10.
“I’ve told him that he needs to score goals; No 10s score goals. [The] No 10 isn’t just there to give assists and play between the lines … you have to score goals because of that opportunity.
“He’s intelligent, and you don’t teach him anything … he’s just God’s gift. What a brilliant player! I am happy for Rele.”
Mofokeng is expected to retain an important role when Bafana face Egypt in a friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm South Africa time.
He has become a regular starter under Mosimane after previously struggling to persuade Hugo Broos that he was ready to begin matches for the national team.
Under the Belgian, Mofokeng started six of the 15 games in which he featured and was used as a substitute in the other nine.
