Relebohile Mofokeng enters record books with brace against Mamelodi Sundowns

Relebohile Mofokeng’s two goals within the opening five minutes on Sunday represented the earliest league brace by an Orlando Pirates player in PSL history.

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Mofokeng found the back of the net in rapid succession against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium as the Buccaneers held on for a 2-1 win.

The 20-year-old’s brace – in 4:49 – was the second fastest in PSL history, just 45 seconds slower than the 4:04 it took for Thamsanqa Gabuza to score twice for SuperSport United against TS Galaxy in January 2021.

Earliest braces in PSL history (league only, all clubs):

• 4min 4 seconds: Thamsanqa Gabuza (SSU v TS Galaxy) January 2021
• 4min 49 seconds: Relebohile Mofokeng (Pirates v Sundowns) – March 2025*
• 6 mins: Geoffrey Massa (Tuks v Free State Stars) – Dec 2023
• 7 mins: Shaun Permall (Ajax v Bloem Celtic) – May 2001
• 7 mins: Thulani Ncube (Ajax v Cape Town) – Mar 200
• NOTE: Early PSL years have minutes only, not the seconds

Meanwhile, Mofokeng’s double was the FIFTH brace scored by an Orlando Pirates player against the defending PSL champions.

He also entered the record books as the youngest of those players to have done so.

Five Orlando Pirates players to have scored a brace against the defending champions (by age):

• 20 years 144 days: Mofokeng (March 2025 v Sundowns)*
• 21 years 196 days – Manyathela (March 2003 v Santos)
• 24 years 51 days – Kermit Erasmus (August 2014 v Sundowns)
• 24 years 332 days – Dumisa Ngobe (Jan 1998 v Manning Rangers)
• 28 years 98 days – Augustine Mulenga (April 2018 v Wits)

Relebohile Mokokeng moved into a tie for 12th on four goals in the race of the Golden Boot this season.

With their win, Orlando Pirates cut Mamelodi Sundowns’ lead atop the standings to 15 points.

The Soweto giants also have four matches in hand.

The league is on a break for the FIFA international window until 29 March.

Updated Betway Premiership standings

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