Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Benson Mhlongo believes Relebohile Mofokeng needs to move abroad in order to continue his growth as a footballer.
The 20-year-old Mofokeng has had an amazing two seasons for Pirates and has become one of the best players in the country. After another good showing in the Betway Premiership, speculation about his future has reached fever pitch.
Just this week, he’s been linked with two Israeli clubs, with one reportedly having made contact over his services, although Pirates say there’s no truth to this. Last year, it was reported that Spanish giants Barcelona were also keeping tabs.
Mhlongo believes that Mofokeng has outgrown the South African game and needs to move in order to receive the necessary guidance to take him to the next level.
“There are a lot of things we don’t have at our disposal as teams. If he goes overseas, he’s going to grow. Not to say he won’t grow at Pirates, but at home there are too many negative elements that the boy will face and has to manoeuvre around,” Mhlongo said, as per KickOff.
“We have a problem of bad company, we have a problem of ‘slay queens,’ and we have a problem of guidance.
“We don’t take seriously the mental aspect of the game that these boys go through, the pressure they go through. If Pirates can have a psychologist, he can stay around.
“But if they don’t have it, let’s save the boy from the social illness we’re facing as a country and give the young boy a chance to grow and come back and represent the country for us to have a chance in the World Cup.
“Sometimes it’s all about the bigger picture h – develop as much as we can for the national team. He has done his part; let him go and open up space for other youngsters,” Mhlongo added.
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