Mofokeng’s ex-coach: I expect more from him

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Mofokeng’s ex-coach: I expect more from him

Oct 3, 2026 – 07:25 pm
By Thato Bosoga

A former coach of Bafana Bafana midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng has opened up on his growth, after he seemingly replicated his form for Union Saint-Gilloise at the national team in the recent 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Mofokeng appeared to be a little bit quicker and decisive in the number ten role in a 2-1 win over Guinea and scored a brace in a 5-0 victory of Eritrea.

Masimanyane Xali, credited for nurturing the 21-year-old during his youth days at the School of Excellence, opened up on his protégé seizing the moment in the number ten role, after he was not considered a starter yet by former coach Hugo Broos.

“He’s been playing well for his club, so I think he just brought his club form to the national team. I would say the opportunity is there but it’s up to him to take it. I think with the way he has played in the last two games, he is putting his hand up,” Xali told KickOff.

“But I don’t think he’s automatically guaranteed that because there’s a new coach he’s going to start. But I know he’s going to work hard for it and hopefully he will get more opportunities to show what he can do.”

Xali also revealed that Mofokeng prefers playing in the number ten position.

“I’m happy for him and I think also he’s playing the position he prefers the most, I think and his best position. So it’s no surprise also seeing him doing this well. I just expect and hope for more from him,” the former School of Excellence coach said.

“Last season he played as a ten, the season before when they were in the Champions League, I think against Al Ahly, he played as a ten and after that game you could see the plan was to put him as a ten. And the whole of last season he played as a ten.”

When asked by this website which coach got the better of ‘The President’ at former club Orlando Pirates, between Jose Riveiro and Abdeslam Ouaddou, Xali had this to say.

“Look I think he did well under coach Ouaddou, he did exceptionally well but I think also under Riveiro, he was also great. The game I’m talking about was still Riveiro. So I think he needed more games to adjust because he had been used to being on the wing,” Xali, who has been appointed at Mangaung United, responded.

“I think both coaches have been great for him, I can’t say this one is better than the other one. With Riveiro he needed the breakthrough and Ouaddou came in when he needed to cement his place and I think he was great for both and both of them were great for him,” Xali added.