Former Kaizer Chiefs star Jabu Mahlangu has offered candid advice to Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng following a recent social media debate comparing the youngster to Mamelodi Sundowns maestro Themba Zwane.
The highly-rated winger has been the standout performer for Pirates in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, dishing out solid performances.
Mofokeng produced yet another dazzling performance on Tuesday night when Pirates defeated Golden Arrows 5-0 in the league at the Orlando Amstel Arena as the title race continues to serve edge-of-the-seat entertainment.
The Bafana Bafana international netted a brace against Arrows, with Oswin Appollis Appollis scoring the other two goals, while Edward Maova scored an own goal for Pirates to walk away with maximum points.
Before playing a key role for Pirates against the KZN-based side, Mofokeng netted a hat trick for the Soweto giants as they thumped TS Galaxy 6-0 at the Mbombela Stadium a few weeks ago.
Mofokeng’s scintillating form has catapulted him into the conversation for both the Golden Boot and the Player of the Season award. With nine goals and five assists in just 20 league outings, the 21-year-old currently sits third on the scoring charts, trailing only Iqraam Rayners [11] and Junior Dion [12].
This meteoric rise has sparked inevitable comparisons to Sundowns’ veteran playmaker Zwane. While Zwane remains the gold standard for South African creative midfielders, a growing contingent of fans argues that at 36, ‘Mshishi’ is being eclipsed by Mofokeng’s raw impact and clinical edge.
WHAT JABU MAHLANGU SAID TO RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG
Transitioning from the flanks to a central role has been the turning point for Mofokeng. Initially deployed as a winger, where his form was inconsistent, he has since flourished as a traditional number 10 for both Pirates and Bafana. His clinical performances in the playmaker role suggest that Hugo Broos may have finally found the long-term successor to Zwane—a puzzle the Bafana coach has been desperate to solve.
Chiefs legend Jabu Mahlangu has issued a challenge to Mofokeng, urging the youngster to remain grounded and strive to surpass the impact of South African football’s iconic “dribbling wizards.”
In a sincere message shared on his Instagram most recently, the man affectionately known as ‘Shuffle’ pleaded with the 21-year-old to block out the external “noise” that often derails South Africa’s brightest talents. Mahlangu, who understands the pressure of being a teenage prodigy better than most, emphasised that Mofokeng possesses the rare quality to move beyond the shadows of past greats like himself and Steve Lekoelea.
“’Rele you are a star, you have a great future, and this is my advice to you’,” Mahlangu said. “All I can tell you is that you have to achieve more than we have—players like myself and Steve Lekoelea. You have the talent to do that.”
The former Amakhosi star highlighted Mofokeng’s humility and vision as his greatest assets, cautioning him against the dangers of public comparisons.
“’Don’t listen to all this noise about being compared to other players. I know you are a very humble person; take it one day at a time and compete with yourself so that you can improve. I can see that you are on the right track. The noise outside is too much; don’t listen to it and stay focused’.”
Mahlangu concluded with a high-stakes endorsement, suggesting that Mofokeng’s ceiling isn’t just local dominance, but global recognition.
“’Your talent and the things you do on the pitch—most of your peers and older people can’t do them. The way you think and how you see things on the field is special. I wish God protects you and you stay injury-free. I wish next season you go to play in Europe’.”
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