Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen has given a candid assessment of Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng after facing Bafana Bafana in two international friendlies.
Christiansen and his troops’ tour of South Africa served as a high-stakes dress rehearsal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Central Americans testing Bafana Bafana across two tightly contested friendlies in preparation for the showpiece in Mexico, Canada, and the USA.
The series began with a 1-1 stalemate at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium last Friday, before the visitors silenced a sold-out DHL Stadium in Cape Town with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. It was Bafana’s first home defeat under Hugo Broos, but the individual quality on display left a lasting impression on the opposition.
Following the final whistle, Panama coach Christiansen singled out several South African stars, and reserved his most glowing praise for Rele Mofokeng. Christiansen predicted a massive future for the highly-rated attacker, who showcased his versatility by featuring prominently in both international fixtures.
Mofokeng’s impact was felt across both games; he sparked life into the side as a second-half substitute in Durban before earning a starting berth in Cape Town. In the second encounter, his trickery and vision made him a constant thorn in the side of the Panamanian defence, validating his reputation as one of the continent’s brightest sparks.
WHAT THE PANAMA COACH SAID ABOUT RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG
The mercurial winger has already surpassed 100 appearances across all competitions for the Buccaneers, contributing 16 goals and 19 assists. His trophy cabinet is equally impressive, boasting a haul of domestic silverware that includes an unprecedented three successive MTN8 titles.
This season, Mofokeng has been the heartbeat of the Pirates’ title charge as they seek to end Mamelodi Sundowns’ historic eight-year stranglehold on the league trophy.
“Mofokeng is a very good player; he can make the difference. He is fast, technically strong, and possesses the vision to deliver key passes—a vital player for the future,” Christiansen noted when asked which Bafana stars caught his eye.
“You also have Lyle Foster’s experience and goal-scoring threat upfront, complemented by midfielders who cover immense ground. With a top-tier goalkeeper like Ronwen Williams and full-backs who are technically gifted in transition, South Africa has a very balanced squad.”
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