The Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa Target Set for the World Cup

Last summer, Relebohile Mofokeng was at the center of the battle between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa, two of the biggest clubs in Israeli football, which fought for the services of the player who will appear tonight (Thursday) in the World Cup. His national team, South Africa, will face Mexico in the match that opens the summer’s big celebration, in a replay of the 2010 World Cup opener, when the Bafana Bafana hosted the tournament.

In the end, the winger decided not to come to Israel because of the security situation and the war with Iran, and remained in his homeland. The player dealt with an injury at the start of the season, struggled to make an impact and moved in and out of the Pirates’ squad. Just two assists in 14 matches drew criticism from national team coach Hugo Broos: “He is not at the level he was at last year, the media drove him crazy. He is a talented player, but there was too much speculation. That is not good for a player his age.”

But as the season progressed, Mofokeng stepped up. The player, who stands 1.66 meters tall and mainly plays on the left with a strong right foot, finished the season excellently, ending with 10 goals and eight assists for one of the country’s top teams. His good form earned the winger a call-up from the Belgian coach for the 2026 World Cup.

His father told Goal Africa that his dream is for his son to play in the Europa League or the Champions League. After turning down a long list of offers last summer, the Pirates could earn a decent fee for the 21-year-old if he impresses at the tournament and perhaps even reaches the Holy Land.