Former Bafana Bafana and Everton star midfielder Steven “Schillo” Pienaar has entered the Relebohile Mofokeng discussion. Pienaar, who was part of the Bafana Bafana Class of 2010 that lost to their Mexican counterparts in a veterans’ match at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca on Sunday, said coach Hugo Broos must unleash Mofokeng at this Fifa World Cup. Bafana meet co-hosts Mexico at the famed Estadio Azteca in the 2026 World Cup’s opening game on Thursday (1pm in Mexico City, 9pm SA time), a rematch of the opening game when the same sides clashed when South Africa hosted the 2010 tournament. Pienaar was part of Sunday’s exhibition replay alongside other 2010 World Cup Bafana stars, including Itumeleng Khune, 2010 captain Aaron Mokoena, Bongani Khumalo, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Surprise Moriri and Katlego Mphela.Over the past few months, Mofokeng has not played consistently for the senior national team for a variety of reasons, but Pienaar believes the much-skilled Orlando Pirates playmaker or wide midfielder has all the attributes to make his mark at World Cup level. Going into the opening match, the burning question is who Broos will play in his starting XI, with Mofokeng and 36-year-old veteran Themba Zwane, who battled to find his best form after returning from injury at Mamelodi Sundowns last season, being options at No 10.Mofokeng has just come out of a strong campaign where he helped Pirates win the Betway Premiership for the first time in 14 years. Zwane saw little action as Sundowns won their second Champions League title. “Of course [we have to unleash him] because he is fearless. He just needs to go out there and play football,” said Pienaar, who used to do the creative work for the 2010 Bafana with protection from Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagiso Dikgacoi or Thanduyise Khuboni. “He’s got all the attributes to become one of the best players for South Africa. He is a special player and as a country we have to protect him. We don’t have to put too much pressure on him. “We have to be careful how we treat him. If we are going to overload him with all the pressure and say he is the star boy, that is going to affect him. So, we have to be patient. Bafana Bafana Class of 2010 before their exhibition match against their Mexican counterparts at the Hidalgo Stadium in Pachuca. pic.twitter.com/2FgIWngTOc— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) June 8, 2026