Former Orlando Pirates forward Katlego Mashego has identified what he thinks is the source of the difficulties faced by Relebohile Mofokeng this season.
The 20-year-old has been struggling to recreate the form that saw him establish himself as a key Pirates player in the last two seasons.
Having featured in seven games for Pirates across all competitions this term, the left winger is yet to score or provide an assist. This comes after enjoying a solid combination with Mohau Nkota last season, but Mofokeng now appears isolated.
Unusually, he has been an unused substitute twice while also coming on from the bench twice. Naturally a left winger, Mofokeng has been deployed on the right flank by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and has also played as an attacking midfielder.
July signing Oswin Appollis appears to have been preferred on the left side of attack by the Moroccan coach, who faces the difficult choice of picking between the two wingers.
WHAT MASHEGO IDENTIFIES AS MOFOKENG’S CHALLENGE
Mashego feels Mofokeng should have saved himself from his struggles by leaving Pirates, amid Ouaddou seemingly not getting the best out of him.
“It is too early to tell [if Mofokeng has totally failed this season],” Mashego told FARPost. “Let’s be fair to the boy and not judge him as that guy who was doing well last season. In my view, he should have followed Nkota overseas.
“We don’t know mentally where he is; we don’t have the answers to everything. Remember, there are a lot of things that go behind the scenes at training that we don’t see.
“It is all about the coach’s preference, and let’s not blame him. They [Mofokeng and Appollis] are two equally talented players.”
Pirates are just five games into the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign and have the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC awaiting them this weekend, plus the CAF Champions League, Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup still to play for.
That gives Mashego confidence that Mofokeng could still pick himself up.
“Of course, he is nowhere near his best form, but he can still rediscover himself,” added the Bushbuckridge-born retired footballer. “The coach should just sit down with him, talk to the boy and tell him that he still has faith in him. He just needs something to boost his confidence.”
The upcoming MTN8 final is a high-pressure affair that will test Ouaddou’s decision-making, especially regarding accommodating Mofokeng and Appollis in one match.
RELATED STORY: Pirates coach sheds light on Rele Mofokeng’s absence