Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng has been backed to succeed in Europe by Luvuyo Memela FILE - Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng has been backed to succeed in Europe by Luvuyo Memela. Photo: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspaper
Former Orlando Pirates Luvuyo Memela is the latest to jump on the Relebohile Mofokeng train as he showered the teenager with praise.
Mofokeng has made a huge impact for his club Orlando Pirates since breaking into Jose Riveiro’s first team.
Last season, he chipped in with a number of crucial goals — including a stoppage time-winner in the Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns — and had also earned a national team call-up.
He also spent time on trial with Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
His impressive introduction to professional prompted TS Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi to proclaim he was as good as Spain and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal.
And now, Memela has himself claimed the 19-year-old would not seem out of place in clubs like Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“For me, I feel like he can play for teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid,” Memela was quoted by Soccer Laduma on Thursday.
“He is a player with the ability to play at the highest level. I feel like he can play in top competitions like the Champions League. If I remember well, the last South African we had competing a such a level was Benni McCarthy,” he continued.
“... it would be nice to see one of our own at that stage when watching football, and for me, that boy [Mofokeng] can get there. It’s good to see the progress he has been making, and I like how the Pirates coach [Riveiro] is managing him in terms of how he is using him in the team.”
The Sea Robbers will be hoping Mofokeng has a big impact when they take on newly promoted Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup this weekend.
IOL Sport