Mamelodi Sundowns legend Joel “Fire” Masilela has downplayed the hype surrounding Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng, suggesting that South Africa is prone to overhyping young talent before they reach their full potential.
Masilela believes this trend is evident in cases like Mofokeng and Siyabonga Mabena.
He argues that the current generation of young players, while promising, lacks a truly exceptional individual.
Masilela further criticized the role of football agents, who he believes prioritize self-promotion over the genuine development of their clients.
‘MANY OF THEM ARE OVERHYPED’
“This generation consists of about 30 players who all seem the same, there are no truly special players,” Masilela told KickOff.
“Not even Mofokeng is a special player-he is still young, still needs to learn, and is still considered a ‘baby' in football terms.
“We've had players like Benedict Vilakazi in the past, and they were not special either. At this moment, I don't see anyone truly outstanding in South Africa.
“These players are often represented by agents who focus more on making money than on developing their talents.
“When we talk about special players, we're referring to those who truly respect the game, but many current players seem to lack that respect. They're here primarily to earn money.
“Many of these players fade into obscurity after a brief moment of success. For instance, one week they might score a goal against Sundowns, and the next week they vanish from the spotlight— this is because they don't respect the game.
“While people have been impressed with Mofokeng previously, the question is: Are they still impressed with him today? He is no longer the same player.
“The problem is that these players often don't learn from their experiences. Many of those who are overhyped as the ‘next big thing' lack education about the sport.
“Football and education go hand in hand. Just look at Mofokeng now; where is Siyabonga Mabena? These players need to understand that in football, learning is a continuous process.”
