Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has offered words of encouragement to Relebohile Mofokeng following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign for Bafana Bafana.
The 21-year-old winger missed a golden opportunity to give South Africa the lead in their round-of-16 clash against Cameroon.
The miss proved costly, as Bafana went on to lose the match 2-1 and were eliminated from the tournament.
Following the match, Mofokeng admitted that he felt his missed chance had let the team down.
However, McKenzie made a point of speaking to the young attacker upon the squad’s arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, reassuring him that the defeat was not his fault.
“We win as a team and we lose as a team. You must never take the blame,” McKenzie told Mofokeng. “You played very well in your first game — congratulations.”
The minister also expressed concern over the emotional burden Mofokeng carried after the loss.
Gayton McKenzie defends Mofokeng
“Can you imagine the pain this young man had to endure because he blamed himself? That is totally not right. Football is a game of surprises. We miss chances, but we learn and we grow. We love you, my boy,” McKenzie said on X.
Mofokeng featured in two matches at the 2025 AFCON, against Egypt and Cameroon. While he struggled to make an impact against the Pharaohs, the talented attacker delivered a more assured performance against the Indomitable Lions and was unlucky not to score early in the contest.
McKenzie calls Mofokeng aside
The Orlando Pirates star has been linked with a potential move to Europe, and it remains to be seen whether he will leave the Buccaneers before the start of the new season.