South Africa's national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, has received a boost with the news that defender Olwethu Makhanya has been awarded the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for September. The team has also moved up two spots in the FIFA World Rankings, rising to 48th in the world, their highest ranking since October 2011. This recent rise came on the back of back-to-back victories in their 2027 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana started the recently concluded FIFA window in position 54 in the world. After their 2-1 win against Afcon 2027 Group D opponents Guinea, Bafana earned 8.87 ranking points, rising to 50th spot. The emphatic 5-0 victory over continental minnows Eritrea earned South Africa 2.55 ranking points. These points enabled Bafana to climb past Czechia into 49th position.
The 1-0 victory over the Pharaohs earned Bafana a further 6.22 ranking points, taking the southern African side up to 48th. Starlet and talisman Relebohile Mofokeng has seen his market value rise by 100%, moving up to €3 million when he joined Belgian Pro League side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a four-year deal. Mofokeng took to life in Belgium like a fish to water, scoring four goals and assisting one in nine outings in all competitions.
During the recently concluded FIFA window, Mofokeng further underlined his influence by scoring two goals in the Eritrea rout up in Cairo. That saw his transfer market value double to €6 million as of Monday, October 5, according to transfermarkt.co.za. He is now just €2 million shy of South Africa's top MVPs and fellow national teammates plying their trade in Major League Soccer.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi of Chicago Fire and Lyle Foster of Houston Dynamo FC (on loan from Burnley) are currently valued higher than Mofokeng. While these three stars are not competing for the same position on the pitch, the next two months will see them compete for that top MVP spot. They have exactly 30 days to convince Pitso Mosimane that they deserve to retain their national call-ups.
The next FIFA window is set for November 9–17, during which Bafana Bafana will play Afcon 2027 co-hosts, Kenya back-to-back on November 13 at home and November 17 away. Pitso Mosimane praised Bafana Bafana’s perfect FIFA window but warned they must maintain their momentum, with Kenya posing a major qualification threat.
Relebohile Mofokeng’s growing maturity gives Bafana Bafana a new attacking dimension. His recent performances have highlighted his exceptional talent, and he will look to continue this form in the upcoming matches.
Key points
- Relebohile Mofokeng's market value has doubled to €6 million.
- Bafana Bafana has risen to 48th in the FIFA World Rankings.
- The team will face Kenya in the next FIFA window.
