FILE - Orlando Pirates teenager Relebohile Mofokeng controls the ball during their Soweto derby clash against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. FILE - Orlando Pirates teenager Relebohile Mofokeng controls the ball during their Soweto derby clash against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. Photo: Phill Magakoe/AFP
Deon Hotto believes Orlando Pirates teammate Relebohile Mofokeng is ready to make the big move abroad.
The teenager had an impressive breakthrough season, which ended with an international debut for Bafana Bafana, a winning goal in a cup final, a Young Player of the Year award, and linked with a transfer to Europe.
Bafana head coach Hugo Broos urged the 19-year-old to stay in South Africa for one more season, but Hotto feels he is ready to take the next step after being impressed by his performance in their pre-season matches against Sevilla and Granada in Spain.
However, Hotto said the senior players at the club were playing their role in helping the youngster keep his feet on the ground.
“We as senior players, we will keep him grounded, keep his head in the game, his head must be on the prize. We try to help him to kick on from where he left off and just to put in more effort, especially in the final third,” Hotto said according to iDiski Times.
“There are times where we just need him to put the ball in the net, then he takes another touch and that’s where we come in and guide him to say, ‘the first moment you get, try to finish it’, just like the one he did in the final, one-two and then finish.
“For sure, he is ready to go overseas, why not? He is … in my view I think he is ready, to be honest, when we went to Spain now you saw how he competed against Sevilla, against Granada, big teams, big names and he played as if he was here in the PSL, so for me I think he is ready to be honest.”
IOL Sport
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