Ex-Downs star: What sets Rele apart

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Ex-Downs star: What sets Rele apart

Oct 3, 2026 – 08:52 am
By Sipho Mlotha

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Bennet Mnguni has explained in detail why Bafana Bafana star Relebohile Mofokeng stands out among his peers.

Although some fans and analysts have expressed frustration with Mofokeng’s lack of finishing, he has been one of the national team’s strongest performers.

READ | Mosimane teases attacking revolution for Bafana’s new era

“The boy is short and small in stature. To compensate, he makes sure he is always first to the ball and releases it before you can touch him. If you do touch him, it is a foul,” Mnguni tells KICK OFF.

“The reason he rarely ends up on the floor is because he avoids contact. He simply wants to move into space. When he dribbles past you, he makes sure you are still five metres away.

“He is not the type to come up to you and say, ‘Hey, Buda, today I am going to dribble past you!’ Once he gets past you, he looks for space to play the ball.

“That is how dribbling should be done in football. If you try to be clever and dribble through defenders, you will get injured. Your career will be very short.”