Hugo Broos Responds to Relebohile Mofokeng’s Absence After Bafana Bafana’s Draw

• Hugo Broos has addressed talks about Relebohile Mofokeng's absence from Bafana Bafana's squad against Zimbabwe
• The Belgian tactician shared his thoughts on whether the Orlando Pirates youngster's absence affected the team against the Warriors
• Bafana Bafana fans also aired their views about the Premier Soccer League Young Player of the Year's absence from the game

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has responded to claims about whether the absence of Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng had any impact on their performance against Zimbabwe.

South Africa struggled to penetrate the Warriors’ resolute defence and were forced to settle for a goalless draw in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night.

Mofokeng was initially named in Broos’s final 23-man squad for the last two World Cup qualifiers, but his injury during Pirates' 1-0 win over Siwelele FC in the Carling Knockout Cup ruled him out.

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Broos on Mofokeng’s absence against Zimbabwe

After the match, Broos was questioned about the absence of the injured Mofokeng, who was replaced by Mduduzi Shabalala.

Broos declined to comment on the absence of certain players during his post-match press conference, stating that it would be unfair to those who featured in the game. He emphasised that the players gave their all in pursuit of victory, saying they delivered a strong performance and fought hard, even though the result did not go as hoped.

Broos added that it would be too easy to blame the draw on missing individuals, insisting he would not do that.

Mofokeng is arguably one of the best youngsters in the Premier Soccer League and in Africa at large, but he has failed to replicate his last season’s performance for the Soweto giants this season.

In the last international break, the Pirates youngster was on the bench during Bafana Bafana’s win over Lesotho and also in the 1-1 draw against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

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Fans react to Mofokeng's absence

Ramoshaba Daniel Tebogo wrote:

"Mofokeng is a bench warmer at Bafana Bafana , unless perhaps he was missed on the bench."

Nomakhosi Senda said:

"Mofokeng can have a bad game but it takes him mins to change a game, hence Pirates coach is trying to make him their main number 10 to build around him."

Thulani Palamente shared:

"Me to I believe he is better to me he is too offensive and he can scores an he is creative the energy crosses good finishing yoh Rele."

Malefane Salela implied:

"Let’s be honest , bafana played well and failed to score. My Boy Rele is currently not doing well in sport we say you are off form , I think Nkotad departure did affect my boi. I hope he understands his time will come to leave and I hope he uses the Morocco 🇲🇦 AFCON to sell himself abroad."

Lenyora Buccaneer reacted:

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"He doesn't play him moc Mr plumber even Mbatha can add something going forward ,he likes Sundowns players too much with 1000 passes forgetting to score goals , those people failed to score against marumo in the whole 120 minutes playing at home."

Falakhe Zotha added:

"South Africa is a joke, nobody takes them seriously,can you imagine an embarrassment supporting another country bcs the coach didn't select players from your team agah ,no wonder nobody takes South African seriously in this world... No one."

Ouaddou comments on Mofokeng's injury

Briefly News also reported that Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou commented on Mofokeng's injury against Siwelele FC in the Carling Knockout Cup.

The Moroccan mentor provided an update about the Bafana Bafana star's injury in the match.

Source: Briefly News