Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has advised Orlando Pirates’ youngster Relebohile Mofokeng against signing for a top European team that would end up wasting his talent.
Mofokeng has seen his star shine at Pirates, leading to recent reports that Spanish giants Barcelona are keen to sign him, but South Africa’s all-time leading scorer McCarthy feels it would be suicidal for Rele to join the Catalan side.
The former Ajax, Celta Vigo and FC Porto striker, however, thinks a move to Portugal, France or to a mid table team in Spain, would suit the 20-year-old as he would be guaranteed game time while also adapting quickly as the weather is the same as that he is accustomed to in South Africa.
Should Mofokeng reject Barca’s approach?
“I think he (Mofokeng) needs to play, not go to a country where to adapt, no, he needs to play,” McCarthy said during an interview with journalist Mahlatse Mphahlele.
“So, I think a Portuguese League would be good, (or) La Liga teams where he’s going to play and not sit on the bench.
“La Liga would suit him very nicely. He is not going to play there (Barcelona or Real Madrid), he must go to a place like Mallorca or Athletic Bilbao (where he can play with) Nico Williams.
“He must be in those kinds of teams, Celta Vigo would be a nice team for him as well, Espanyol, just a place where his talent won’t be wasted.”
Benni rules out Premier League move for Rele
McCarthy, who also had a successful stint in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, before a short spell at West Ham, thinks to is too early for a move to the English top flight as the player needs to be tried elsewhere before he makes the big jump.
“France might be also a good place for him because of the climate, at least there’s sunshine like South Africa. I think Portugal, Spain and France,” he added.
“Maybe one day if I coach in England and he’s still young enough I’ll take him.
“You need a coach who understands you and knows ‘What am I looking to get out of this player?’ Then you play, other than that, it’s difficult.”
