“He Could Be Captain”: Ncikazi Reveals The Secret Behind Mofokeng’s Explosion
Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has lauded Relebohile Mofokeng’s remarkable transformation this season, detailing how the 22-year-old evolved into a tactical linchpin ahead of Sunday’s sold-out Soweto Derby.
Despite carrying the title of reigning Young Player of the Season, Mofokeng endured a quiet start to the campaign, failing to register a goal or assist during the opening league round. However, 2026 has belonged to the attacking midfielder.
The Bafana Bafana star now leads the league with six Man of the Match awards—edging out Kaizer Chiefs’ Lebohang Maboe—and has secured two consecutive Player of the Month titles. His clinical nature is reflected in his stats: 10 goals and seven assists in 22 appearances. Remarkably, a goalless draw against Sekhukhune United is the only match this calendar year where he failed to contribute to a goal.
The Shift from Wing to ‘Number 10’
Ncikazi attributes this explosion in form to a shift in Mofokeng’s positional versatility and professional maturity.
“I think it’s several factors,” said Ncikazi.
“One is the number of hours he invests in extra work and the level of preparation he goes through—not only on the field, but also in adapting to positional changes. When Rele started, he was only playing on the left. Now he can operate in any of the three No. 10 positions.
“I also think it comes down to the finer details in how we approach matches. This is different from how we approached games before—how quickly we get into the opponent’s half and how we create space for him. It’s all about those details, along with extensive preparation, both from the team and individually.
“The boy is incredibly mature for his age—you wouldn’t think he’s so young. If it weren’t for anything else, you could even entrust him with the captaincy, although Nkosinathi Sibisi is doing very well.
“So, there are many contributing factors, but ultimately it’s the result of a lot of hard work, both on and off the field.”
With Pirates preparing for the highly anticipated Soweto Derby at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Sunday, Ncikazi also provided an update on the squad’s injury situation.
“At the moment, Thapelo Xoki is still in rehabilitation, and Sihle Nduli is also recovering,” he added.
“I haven’t seen anyone else in the doctor’s room, so we should have a clean bill of health apart from those two.”
As the Buccaneers gear up for one of the biggest fixtures on the South African football calendar, Mofokeng will be eager to maintain his outstanding form.
With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the young star continues to strengthen his case as one of the country’s brightest talents.
