Mixed messages indeed. While his national team boss is advising the Rangers target against a summer departure, there are others in his homeland who could hardly be more positive about a potential switch to Scottish Premiership giants.
His current head coach at club level, meanwhile, falls somewhere in the centre of that Venn diagram.
According to the Scottish Sun, Rangers are at the front of the queue – leading clubs in the Middle East and Wolves from the Premier League – in pursuit of a 19-year-old attacking midfielder who’s intelligence on and off the ball have drawn lofty comparisons with Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta.
But who’s advice will Relebohile ‘Rele’ Mofokeng follow?
Will he follow Hugo Broos, the South Africa manager who tells the teenager that it is ‘not the right moment to go overseas’. Will he instead take a leaf out of Steven Piennar’s playbook, South Africa’s 2010 World Cup hero Siphiwe Tshabalala pointing out that an early departure to Europe did not do the former Ajax, Tottenham and Everton schemer any harm?
Rangers in the mix for Relebohile Mofokeng
Jose Riveiro, Mofokeng’s mentor at Orlando Pirates, is laying the decision at the door of the teenager and his representatives. Riveiro feels that there is no right or wrong time to leave. Just right or wrong destinations.
“I think usually things happen for a reason. And I’m sure that Rele will (have admirers), if he is not currently attracting the interests of many other teams and leagues,” the 48-year-old Spaniard tells Radio 2000’s Game On show.
“I just hope he gets the right call and opportunity because not every opportunity is right. And that’s a difficult thing to decide or choose.
“But I’m sure that the time to make decisions for Rele and his environment will come in the future. We are here to help him also to do the right thing.
“I don’t think the right opportunity or time is related to his age or experience. It’s just about finding the right place to go to or stay.
“Who knows?”
South Africa’s answer to Andres Iniesta?
Rangers have already completed two signings this summer, bringing in long-time target Jefte Vital from Fluminense while extending Oscar Cortes’ loan deal. Mofokeng, like Jefte and Cortes, also tends to play wide on the left, cutting inside onto his favoured right foot from the flank.
This is a big factor behind those Iniesta comparisons, one of the greatest playmakers in the 21st century wreaking havoc in his Barcelona heyday when finding pockets of space and pulling the strings from that inverted left-sided role.
“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.
“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 are also hoping to sign another left-sided operator in Godoy Cruz southpaw Thomas Galdames. The 25-year-old Chilean appears to be the club’s leading centre-back target after walking away from Levski Sofia’s Jose Cordoba.
