Pirates’ Mofokeng hits form ahead of Bafana’s AFCON squad announcement

Orlando Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng has strengthened his chances of making Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations squad after producing one of his best performances of the season. 

The 21-year-old delivered a standout display in Pirates’ 2-0 win over Durban City at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, a result that lifted the club to the top of the Betway Premiership standings.

Mofokeng’s showing earned him his first Player of the Match award of the campaign and arrived at a crucial time, just days before national coach Hugo Broos finalises his squad for the tournament. He was named in Broos’ preliminary group last week, and his performance has renewed attention on his prospects as the final list approaches.

Broos will announce his official squad on Monday. 

Last week, the coach indicated that reducing the preliminary group to at least 23 players would disappoint several contenders, noting the growth of his player pool over the past two years. During that period, Bafana qualified for Afcon and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The national side is again expected to draw heavily from the squads of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, as has been the pattern in recent matches. Several players, including Sipho Mbule, Rownwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokwena, are widely expected to be included in the final group.

Bafana Bafana confirmed the announcement details on social media, writing: “Trust the process!! The final Bafana Bafana squad for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations will be announced on Monday, 1 December 2025 at 12h00.”

Afcon kicks off next month, and Mofokeng’s timely resurgence has positioned him among the Pirates players likely to be considered as Broos settles on his final 23-man squad.