‘I will never forget this day’: Vaal’s Finest on his Bafana Bafana debut

SEDIBENG.- “I will never forget this day with the whole stadium calling my name while warming up behind the poles”.

These were the words of Rethabile Mofokeng after he made his international debut for Bafana Bafana.

This Vaal’s Finest made his much anticipated international debut for Bafana Bafana against Zimbabwe in a mouth-watering World Cup Qualifier match at a packed Free State Stadium on Tuesday.  The high-spirited Bafana Bafana beat Zimbabwe 3-1. Mofokeng who hails from Sharpeville came in as a sub in the dying minutes of the game, and he never disappointed.

With his first and only touch the crowd went crazy.

It was an emotional debut for this former School of Excellence player who started his amateur career in his home town of Sharpeville.

Mofokeng is the talk about town after he produced a five-star performance for Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final recently.

No doubt, Mofokeng will go down in the history of South African football as one of the exciting talents to come from Vaal after the likes of Steve “Chippa” Lekoelea, Thabo Rakhale, Abia Nale, Joseph “China” Masondo who were blessed with  talent.

The crowd was calling for his name with Bafana Bafana Captain Rowen Williams rushing to the bench seemingly to plead with Coach Hugo Broos to hand this crowd favourite his first cap. When Mofokeng went to warm up behind the poles, the whole Free State Stadium was on the edge of their seats. Back here at home, everyone was glued on their tv screen to watch this exciting talent who has been on everyone’s one lips for obvious reason.

In his debut season in the PSL, Mofokeng has made a name for himself as one of the young stars.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Mofokeng said being part of Bafana Bafana was a dream come true especially in the crucial World Cup Qualifier.

“I was excited and looking forward to make my first debut for Bafana Bafana. I will never forget this day.”