Peer pressure, girls, loss of form: ‘Cheeseboy’ Mokoena on Relebohile Mofokeng’s greatest foes

So far, on the pitch, Orlando Pirates rising star Relebohile Mofokeng has been able to hold his own with stunning performances.

The 20-year-old emerging Bafana Bafana star, one of the most exciting talents to emerge in South Africa in recent years, has been one of the standout performers for coach Jose Riveiro's Buccaneers in the past two seasons.

Since his emergence in the 2023-24 season, Mofokeng has helped add to Riveiro's first two trophies in 2022-23 with the two more MTN8 titles and one more Nedbank Cup. There have also been two Premiership second-spot finishes behind seven-time successive champions Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Mofokeng was named the PSL young player of the season and the Nedbank Cup's most promising player of the tournament for 2023-24. He also caught the attention of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who handed him his debut in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying win against Zimbabwe at Free State Stadium in June last year. 

But with success comes fame and former Pirates star Lebohang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena says popularity, adulation, attention from girls and peer pressure are going to be Mofokeng's toughest opponents. 

Mokoena knows all about being an emerging young talent at Pirates and tasting success early in his career. A much-decorated player who also won titles later with Mamelodi Sundowns, Mokoena emerged at Pirates in the early 2000s with one of their most exciting young generations that also included Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi, Joseph “Duku Duku” Makhanya, the late Gift Leremi and the late Lesley “Slow Poison” Manyathela. 

Mokoena said Mofokeng will need to delicately navigate through the perils of fame. 

“He is a boy I used to watch a lot at amateur level in the Vaal and I met his father [Sechaba], who also played the game on numerous occasions. He has guidance from his parents, which is good,” said Mokoena, who also turned out for Ajax Cape Town and Moroka Swallows. 

The former midfielder said there will be a many distractions along the way for Mofokeng and the young Bucs players will gave to remain focused.

“The No 1 distraction is going to be peer pressure and No 2 is going to be girls, because he is a charming young man with a smile. We didn’t have social media and inboxes during my time ... you can imagine how many messages he is getting — but that must not distract him.” 

One of the guarantees for a footballer is loss of form. Mokoena said Mofokeng has to be able to deal with it when it happens.

“At some stage he is going to lose form, which happens to every footballer — but that must not deter him because he has already set high standards and we know his quality.” 

Mofokeng’s humility has impressed Mokoena and he hope it will help the young player keep focused on continuing to improve himself.

“I have seen sometimes he goes to train with the DDC team [DStv Diski Challenge reserve and under-23 side at Pirates] to check on his mates and that is good to encourage the guys that he used to play with. He must do extra training and try to watch his games to see where he can improve. 

“It looks good at the moment, but there is always room for improvement because defenders are finding ways of stopping him. He needs to maintain consistency if he wants to stay on top. That means he needs to constantly improve his game because there is a long way to go.” 

While Mofokeng grabs the headlines, Mokoena said credit should also go to his former Bucs teammate, Makhanya, who worked with Mofokeng with Pirates' DDC team. 

“There was also the help and guidance from coach Joseph Makhanya on the challenges he is going to face. My advice will be to put his feet on the ground and stay humble. He must keep smiling. He mustn't let anything distract him because most people are quick to pick on the little things that don’t go right for him, because we are that type of society.” 

Many have said Mofokeng needs to move abroad sooner rather than later. Mokoena agrees the time is now. 

“I think the next step he needs to take must be to go overseas. I know there was a comment of him going to Al Ahly in Egypt or one of the big teams in North Africa. There is nothing wrong with that but I think the best place for him to go is Europe. I feel he is at a level where he can develop to become a special player in the world if he leaves Pirates.” 

Despite his popularity, Mokoena is surprised Mofokeng is not on billboards and questioned why such a popular young star has not been offered more endorsement deals. 

“It is a crisis we have in our football in South Africa. With rugby and cricket, as soon as the player starts doing well, companies come through. I saw he got a car recently but there is more he can get. 

“These channels must be opened for him. He needs to be getting more endorsements ... to make money to go towards setting himself up for the future. Rugby and cricket players get sponsored by all these big brands and that sets them up for what they want to do when they retire.” 

Mokoena said he has not seen a player of the quality of Mofokeng for some time in South Africa. “He has the ability to create something out of nothing, it is rare to find players like that. He is a skilful player and he is not stationary [on the field] — he is always trying to move. It shows he was taught well and is a modern player. 

“With time and understanding of his position, there are times where he cuts inside — there was one goal he scored against Magesi FC in Polokwane where he cut inside and scored with a beautiful curler. When he plays in that No 10 role, I enjoy seeing him there because he is free to roam around the edge of the box and threaten opposition teams. When he is playing on the side, there is always going to be a man marking him. 

“They are kicking him a lot and that happens. I was also kicked a lot and he should not retaliate because they are going to give him yellow cards.”