Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has shed light on why he handed Relebohile Mofokeng his full debut against Lesotho, emphasizing that such risks cannot be taken against high-caliber opponents like Nigeria.

Mofokeng, a promising 20-year-old forward from Orlando Pirates, made his first competitive start for South Africa in their 2-0 win over Lesotho during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Friday evening. Prior to this, his five appearances for the national team had all been from the bench.

The decision paid off handsomely, as Mofokeng delivered a lively performance, capping it with a well-taken goal in the 60th minute.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Broos explained the rationale behind introducing young players in lower-pressure situations, acknowledging the backlash that can follow a poor debut.

“I think this game was the right moment for Rele. He played a very good game, and this is what we need,” Broos said. “When you put a young guy in the team, as a coach, you have to believe they can succeed. If he doesn’t, people will say, ‘Maybe it’s too soon, maybe he’s not so good,’ so you have to protect the player.”

The Belgian tactician stressed that Nigeria’s quality and intensity make them an unsuitable opponent to test inexperienced players for the first time.

“You can’t do that against Nigeria or in a tough game like Benin – those are different challenges,” he added.

Broos also praised Jayden Adams for his performance against Lesotho, highlighting how these types of matches provide a safer environment to integrate young talent.

With South Africa aiming to maintain their momentum in the World Cup qualifiers, Broos’ cautious approach to nurturing emerging stars could prove vital as they prepare for tougher battles ahead.