Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral has urged tactical caution in moving Relebohile Mofokeng from the wing to a playmaker at the Bafana Bafana level, following a successful switch at Orlando Pirates.
The 21-year-old has recently shone bright in a new role as a number 10 for the Buccaneers after being drifted inside from the flanks by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. The player himself has expressed comfort in his new role after being named Man of the Match in Betway Premiership matches against Magesi FC and AmaZulu FC.
Oauddou has even stated that Mofokeng is more effective in his new position, as the Moroccan appears to have cracked a solution after struggling to field, at the same time, the slippery star, Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi.
The successful change in role comes at a time when Bafana coach Hugo Broos has been battling to find a reliable number 10 who could plug in the gap when Themba Zwane is out. Broos has tried Patrick Maswanganyi with no luck, and then went to the 2025 AFCON with Sipho Mbule, but the latter struggled to impress amid high expectations.
Mofokeng’s exploits have raised hopes that the Bafana coach might have found the man to be a creative genius should Zwane fail to make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But Ertugral has asked for a cautious approach in deploying Mofokeng as a number 10 in the national side.
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“Mofokeng is influencing games at his club level, which is for me very positive, but international football has a completely different tactical demand and a different ecosystem. Bafana’s structure under Broos is built on a very different pattern and dynamism,” Ertugral told FARPost.
“The question here is definitely not, can Mofokeng play as a 10? Obviously, he can. For me decisions at this level must be structural, not emotional.
“Everyone wants creativity from the outside, moving Mofokeng in, looks for everyone at present logical. From inside, the national team is a very fragile ecosystem.
“The identity of Bafana has delivered results. National team football gives you four to five training sessions, mixed club philosophies and no time to experiment.
“At the end of the day, Mofokeng’s development for me is encouraging, but the national team coach has access to dynamics and internals that are not in the public eye. I am confident that Broos will make the right decision based on what best protects and strengthens the team.”
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