Fresh details have emerged around Relebohile Mofokeng’s decision to join Orlando Pirates over Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022.

The then 17-year-old became hot property after starring for the revered Transnet School of Excellence in the Pirates under 19 Cup.

Sundowns and Pirates were the frontrunners for his signature before the Sea Robbers won the tug-of-war for his signature.

WHAT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS OFFERED

According to Mofokeng’s father, Sechaba, the African champions offered a place in the under-19s with the promise of promotion to the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team, on a salary of R15 000 per month.

“Motsepe wanted him to play for the U19s and offered him R15,000, and if he did well, they would promote him to the reserve team in the DDC,” Mofokeng said.

The Sharpeville-born star later signed with Pirates despite a lower salary offer of R6 000, though he was to immediately play in the DDC league.

“The Pirates contract was to play in the DDC, for R6000. I asked them for two minutes to discuss it. Eish, I said the ball is in your court my friend.

“You choose Yellow, they give us R15,000 per month, you go to Pirates, they give you R6000 per month.”

ORLANDO PIRATES SUCCESS

Mofokeng, known as “President Yama 2k,” became a superstar in the DDC before making his senior debut in May 2023 against Royal AM.

He lifted the league’s Young Player of the Season award after the 2023/24 season before he was named the league’s 2025/26 Player of the Season and Football of the Season.

Soon after becoming a key player for South Africa’s national side, Mofokeng completed a Premier Soccer League record R65 million move to Belgian champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.