Hugo Broos has explained why Relebohile Mofokeng is not starting matches for Bafana Bafana after the 20-year-old made another substitute appearance in the 2025 AFCON qualifier victory against South Sudan.
Bafana made easy work of their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier as they hammered South Sudan in front of a boisterous crowd at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.
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The head coach also used the fixture to introduce several new players on the team, some making their Bafana debuts.
With just under 20 minutes to play, he brought on Orlando Pirates trio Relebohile Mofokeng, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Thalente Mbatha, as well as debutants and Capetonians Sage Stephens and Devin Titus.
For Mofokeng, it was a fifth appearance in a Bafana shirt, but the exciting winger is yet to start a match for the senior national team.
Speaking to media after the encounter, Broos explained that it is too early for the starlet to be thrown into the the thick of things.
"Players like Mofokeng, a little bit too early now to put him in the beginning," the 72-year-old offered.
"Mofokeng is not a powerful player, so you need someone next to him that can do the work for him and this is what we try to do every time, when we select players.
"And I understand that people sometimes will say: 'Why not this one? or: 'Why not that one?' It's not a choice of players like this [gesturing with his hands as if to pick up something]. No, you have to build a team and I think we did that in the last two years. We have a good team now and this is very important."
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The reigning PSL Young Player of the Season will turn his attention to club duties, where he has been a sensation for the Buccaneers, contributing four goals and five assists in 15 appearances.
They return to action on Tuesday, 26 November with a CAF Champions League group stage opener against CR Belouizdad.