Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has weighed in on the readiness of Orlando Pirates teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng for a move to Europe, saying that he is not ready.
Broos named Mofokeng in his Bafana final 23-man squad that will play two crucial matches 2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe in their Group C.
Mofokeng, 19, has been the talk of the town after taking the DStv Premiership by storm in his first full season.
“No, no, no, he [Mofokeng] is not ready to go overseas, this is not the right moment. I said the same thing about Mailula. This is not the right moment [for Mofokeng] to go overseas,” Broos said.
His stellar performances saw him get an opportunity to attend trials with English Premier League side Wolves last year, and was linked to other top clubs in Europe such as Glascow Rangers in Scottland.
Mofokeng then got nominated for the Young Player of the Season award, which ultimately saw him earn his first Bafana international call-up.
“He [Mofokeng] played, what, 26 games? Ok, but it’s his first season. He doesn’t have international experience, nothing.
“He must stay at Pirates, play another championship in South Africa, with Caf Champions League games maybe, hopefully, and he will be a better player.
Broos also advised the transfer of Cassius Mailula from Mamelodi Sundowns to Toronto FC in the US at the start of last season.
Digging deep to the Mailula situation, Broos questioned the decision made by the former Sundowns striker and his agent to go to a club with two former Italy internationals in Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.
He said he hoped Mofokeng’s agent would be clever and not make the same mistake
