Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, has urged Orlando Pirates youngster Relebohile Mofokeng to remain patient and stay at Pirates before thinking of moving abroad.
Mofokeng has become a firm fan favourite following an impressive first season in top-flight football which has seen him being nominated for the PSL Young Player of the Season Award.
In his first full season at Pirates, Mofokeng has already attracted the attention of overseas clubs, including Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers who invited him for trials in January.
🚨 Pirates’ Mofokeng gives an update on his Wolves trial and reacts to missing out on Afcon! 🏴☠️⚽️ #GSAVideo pic.twitter.com/uEcGI86DJX
— GOAL South Africa (@GOALcomSA) January 16, 2024
However, Broos is of the view that Mofokeng needs more time in the PSL and to also play CAF Champions League football before he can be ready to move overseas.
“I said the same thing about [Cassius] Mailula [who was sold by Mamelodi Sundowns to Major League Soccer club Toronto FC in the US before the start of 2023-2024 season]. This is not the right moment [for Mofokeng] to go overseas,” he said.
“He [Mofokeng] played, what, 18 games? OK, but it’s his first season. He doesn’t have international experience, nothing. So, what I said about Mailula I repeat now for Mofokeng.”
“You’ve seen what happened with Mailula? He came to Toronto and there were two former Italian internationals [he had to compete with]. What were you going to do with a little guy from South Africa there? He didn’t play one game, yes, he played one game, I think, two months ago. For the rest of the season, he was on the bench. What is he learning there?
“Those players [Mailula and Mofokeng] have to play and I hope Mofokeng’s agent is cleverer, cleverer than the one of Mailula. He only needs to decide what’s important for the player and not what’s important for him [agent]. Let’s see what happens, but I hope he stays at Pirates and plays another season.”
Speaking at his squad announcement at the SABC in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, Broos also spoke glowingly about the Pirates attacker.
“The guy is good on the ball, he’s got a good technique, he can score, and he has quite a good shot also. The only thing he misses now is [international] experience and you can’t have that experience by playing half of the season in the PSL. You need more games and therefore, again, let’s hope he will do it and he will stay with us.”
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