Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has addressed the latest transfer talks surrounding star winger Relebohile Mofokeng.
The Bafana Bafana international has been a key figure for Pirates since bursting onto the scene towards the end of the 2022/23 season. Mofokeng gained promotion to the Buccaneers senior team after making a serious impression in the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC].
In his time with the Pirates first team so far, the highly rated attacker has established himself as a fan favourite with his skilful displays of scoring goals. The 20-year-old has scored 18 goals and contributed 22 assists in over 90 appearances across all competitions for the Soweto giants.
Following his consistent performances in the past two seasons, Mofokeng won the PSL Young Player of the Season award for two campaigns in a row.
In the 2025 PSL awards, Mofokeng was also nominated for the prestigious Footballer of the Season accolade alongside Mamelodi Sundowns star Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Keletso Makgalwa of Sekhukhune United, highlighting his major impact at Pirates.
OUADDOU REITERATES PIRATES’ STANCE TO KEEP MOFOKENG
Mofokeng is a hot commodity on the transfer market. Before the season even started, he was the subject of a reported R31 million offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, a team that recently signed his former teammate, Mohau Nkota. However, Pirates reportedly turned down the bid.
The young attacker has had a slow start to the current season, failing to register a goal contribution in his first four games. Despite this, he continues to attract international interest. The latest reports indicate that Major League Soccer [MLS] side Minnesota United has submitted an offer for the young attacker.
The interest in Mofokeng isn’t new. He has previously been linked with Israeli giants Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, as well as European heavyweights like Spanish side Barcelona and Scottish club Rangers. He even had a trial with English Premier League side Wolves in the past.
His coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, has weighed in on the rumours, reiterating that the club would love to keep Mofokeng. The Moroccan mentor made the remarks after the club’s first win of the 2025/26 season in the Betway Premiership against Stellenbosch FC at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.
“I’m sorry for that question, today [Wednesday] I was only focusing on the game against Stellenbosch,” Ouaddou said.
“And I didn’t even have time to read or look at the media. What I know is that Rele is with us, and today he did well. It means that he’s with us, and I hope he will continue being with us.”
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