“If I Listened To People…” – Broos On Mofokeng’s Historic World Cup Display

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes patience was the key to Relebohile Mofokeng’s success after the youngster produced an outstanding performance in South Africa’s historic victory over South Korea.

Mofokeng was one of the standout performers as Bafana Bafana secured a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages for the first time in the nation’s history. The young attacker delivered a composed and mature display in the final Group A match, helping South Africa advance to the Round of 32.

The Orlando Pirates star has been one of the most talked-about players in South African football throughout the tournament.

Broos came under heavy criticism from supporters after leaving Mofokeng out of the starting lineup for Bafana Bafana’s opening match against co-hosts Mexico. The criticism continued when the Belgian mentor only introduced the youngster in the second half of South Africa’s second group-stage fixture against Czechia.

Many fans believed Mofokeng should have played a bigger role from the start of the tournament, but Broos remained patient with the talented attacker, waiting until he felt the timing was right to hand him a starting berth.

That decision paid off against South Korea, with Mofokeng starting the match and playing nearly 80 minutes while producing one of his finest performances in a Bafana Bafana shirt.

Speaking to Sporty TV after the match, Broos explained why he believes timing is crucial in the development of a young player.

“You know, you have to wait until the right moment for a young player like him,” he said.

“He’s a talented player, but if I should listen to all those people in South Africa, then it shouldn’t work. So this was the right moment, and I also felt that when I saw Rele in training, he was full of confidence.

“So then you don’t have to hesitate to play him, certainly in such an important game like this. And like his other teammates, he had a very good game.”

While pleased with Mofokeng’s display and the team’s historic achievement, Broos insisted that Bafana Bafana are not satisfied with simply reaching the knockout stages.

South Africa will now face co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday, and the coach believes anything is possible in a knockout match.

“You know, once you are there, because on paper this is the most difficult part, surviving the group stage, because every team is super motivated to go to the second round,” he added.

“So we have already done that, but that doesn’t mean we are happy now and will just play a little game on Sunday before going home.

“We will go for it, and you never know. It is football. It is one football match, and in a football match, everything can happen.”