Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng has opened on missing out on the Africa Cup of Nations tournament currently underway in Ivory Coast.
The 19-year-old broke through Pirates' first team in the 22/23 campaign and has gone on to be somewhat of a key player for the Buccaneers, making 20 appearances across all competitions so far in the 23/24 season.
READ | Pirates star: I was ready and willing to represent my country
Mofokeng's meteoric rise has promoted conversation over an outside chance of being part of Bafana's AFCON squad.
The teenager even received the backing of his coach Jose Riveiro, who said if there were any doubts over the starlet, they would only be around his age.
"All of them [are ready for AFCON], we have talent in the team, we have many South African players in our squad, showing they are competitive. But in the individual case of [Mofokeng], I think the only doubt people can have is his age and experience," Riveiro told the media in December when asked if Mofokeng was ready for the senior national men's team.
"If he gets the chance, he will have an opportunity to show if he has the capacity… As his coaches [at Pirates] we feel he is a talented player who understands football very well. He needs to improve, is very young, and needs to understand other things; as I said about Karim [Kimvuidi]."
However, Broos chose to stick to the tried and tested both in his preliminary 50-man squad and the final 23-man squad that headed to West Africa.
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Speaking to journalists on Monday as part of MultiChoice's Player Transition Programme, Mofokeng opened up about missing out on the continental action.
"I also wanted to be there," Mofokeng said.
"But then things won't always go the way you want them in life all the time. So we must just wish them good luck and go on with life.
"Maybe next time I will be called up."
Mofokeng also narrowly missed out on playing in the CAF Champions League when Pirates were knocked out in the second preliminary round by Jwaneng Galaxy.
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