A beaming Hugo Broos praised the team culture of his squad by revealing captain Ronwen Williams' influence in handing emerging star Relebohile Mofokeng his Bafana Bafana debut in a win against Zimbabwe.
Bafana Bafana secured a crucial 3-1 win over neighbours Zimbabwe at a bouncing Free State Stadium in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Mofokeng became one of a select few teenagers to represent the men’s national team, following in the footsteps of former captain Aaron Mokoena, and Rivaldo Coetzee, who both made their debuts at 17.
Super-sub Thapelo Morena made an impressive impact from the bench when scoring a second-half brace after being introduced for Ellias Mokwana.
While Morena bagged the Man of the Match award, a smiling Mofokeng received warm applause from the crowd when stepping onto the pitch.
Mofokeng entered the field to many cheers donning the No.3 jersey, inspired by his idol, Thembinkosi Lorch, who wore the squad number for eight seasons at Orlando Pirates.
WATCH – RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG WARMING UP AND MAKES BAFANA DEBUT
Relebohile Mofokeng making his Bafana Bafana debut! What an unbelievable turn out at Bloemfontein!
— Cellular® (@Cellular_jnr) June 11, 2024
C’bakhathazile!!! 😂😂🇿🇦💪🏿 pic.twitter.com/NGqldi5t4F
“The captain (Ronwen Wiliams) came and said ‘Coach, what do you think? For the last minutes, maybe [put on Relebohile]’. Then I said okay, that’s a good idea, therefore Relebohile came on,” Broos said post-match.
“That shows how the atmosphere is in this group. I said already that those are 23 friends, they are not colleagues. They can do something for someone else. Ronwen did it two years ago with Melusi Buthelezi.
“He came out in the last 12 minutes before the end of the game. This shows how these guys treat each other.
“There are only 11 who can play, and for me, it says that the others who are on the bench are very important.
“Thapelo sat on the bench at the beginning of the game and in the second half he came in and he helped us to win.”
South Africa currently occupy second spot in Group C, trailing leaders Rwanda by goal difference. Benin are in third, with all three teams tied at seven points each.
Good Morning
— Coach Lady D Iron Lady #22 (@LadyDIronLady22) June 12, 2024
Day 3 in Bloemfontein 🇿🇦 #PresidentYaStrata #bafanabafana pic.twitter.com/aBe3podVuy
