For any young midfielder, this is about as lofty a compliment as you could ever wish to receive. Andres Iniesta, not only one of the most decorated playmakers of the 21st century but one of the most stylish too, is about as iconic as they come.
And while one of Rangers‘ summer transfer targets has not even felt the cool breeze hanging around the tip of the iceberg as far as emulating Iniesta’s vast achievements go, suggestions that he could be Africa’s answer to the Barcelona legend will certainly intrigue an Ibrox fanbase looking forward to a summer of change under Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen.
The Scottish Premiership runners-up are reportedly looking at one of the brightest young talents in Australia. The agent of Macarthur whizzkid Raphael Borges Rodrigues confirmed this month that there is indeed interest in north of Hadrian’s Wall.
HITC understands that Rangers are keen on Krasnodar talisman Eduard Spertsyan too, dubbed ‘one of the best midfielders in Europe‘ in some quarters.
Relebohile ‘Rele’ Mofokeng, meanwhile, is another rather compelling name to keep in minds.
Rangers could land Africa’s own Andres Iniesta
The Orlando Pirates teenager has reportedly been watched by not only Rangers but also Red Bull Salzburg – the club who brought us Dominik Szoboszlai, Sadio Mane and Erling Haaland – as well as being offered a trial at Wolves in 2023.
It speaks volumes about how highly Mofokeng is regarded back home in South Africa, meanwhile, that his inclusion in Hugo Broos’ squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has been greeted not with concern at his lack of experience but instead with a great wave of excitement.
“The likes of Pele started playing at the World Cup at the age of 16, so I don’t see any reason why we can’t give the young man a chance,” former Bafana Bafana star Benson Mhlongo tells Kick Off.
“Was Pele ready for the World Cup at the age of 16? With Mofokeng, we can only have an answer once we see him play.
“We must give him a try.”
The South African national team certainly have nothing to lose. Not if Mofokeng can live up to those comparisons with not only Brazil great Pele but also a midfielder who played a major role in Barcelona’s success under Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde.
‘He reminds me of Andres Iniesta’
“I don’t see Mofokeng struggling in the national team,” Mhlongo adds. “He’s quick in his decision-making, and he has quick vision to spot runners. He creates.
“He reminds me of Iniesta. I know because I played against him. Iniesta is very small, but you can’t take the ball away from him. Mofokeng is smart in finding spaces and also a good passer.”
Rangers, if the early days of the Clement and Koppen era are anything to go by, will prioritise young, hungry, versatile, technically gifted footballers this summer. Mofokeng, in that regard, fits in well following the January acquisitions of Oscar Cortes, Mohamed Diomande and Fabio Silva.
Mofokeng, who has four goals and six assists this season for Orlando Pirates, likes to drift in from the left onto his scalpel of a right boot. It will not have passed Mhlongo by that Iniesta did much of his best work in a similar role at the Camp Nou.
Mofokeng tipped to make South African history
“Rele is one of (our biggest talents),” Siphiwe Tshabalala, scorer of South Africa’s iconic opening-day goal at the 2010 World Cup, tells Kick Off. “He is young, very talented, and I am glad he is getting game time in a big team. And he also influences the games.”
Tshabalala feels that Mofokeng could even become the ‘best South African export’, overtaking the likes of Leeds legend Lucas Radebe, former Manchester United midfielder Quentin Fortune and ex-Everton and Tottenham schemer Stephen Pienaar.
“He has great, great potential of being the best South African export,” Tshabalala adds. “And there is a great future for him in the national team.
“I would advise players to go abroad. When the opportunity arises, I would advise that. We must also have higher aspirations. South Africa is not our ceiling.
“There is life in Europe. Now, there is also Saudi Arabia. So it’s not only about your career, it should also benefit you financially. Playing football is not just for recreational purposes. It’s work and it’s business.
“Therefore, it has to reward you.”
