'Don’t send our boy to a war zone' – Moeneeb Josephs slams Rele Mofokeng’s possible Israel move
Slimkat against potential Israeli move Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has cautioned Relebohile Mofokeng against moving to Israel. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has urged Relebohile Mofokeng not to entertain any offers from Israeli clubs as the demand for the youngster grows.
Two weeks ago, it was reported that Israeli clubs Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa had reached out to Orlando Pirates with the view of making an offer for the 20-year-old sensation. As a result, they were reportedly given a price of around R31 million to get the deal done.
But Josephs, who spent five years at Pirates and also played at the 2010 World Cup in the country, has voiced his concerns about Mofokeng moving to Israel.
“We want the best for our players, and if they move on, they must move on to something better,” Josephs, currently the goalkeeper coach of the Kenya national team, said on the SoccerBeat podcast.
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“Yes, abroad is where everything is happening, but (Israel) that’s not abroad. That’s more backwards.”
He went on to pour cold water on the claim that the move would be good for Mofokeng as the club plays in Europe.
“Don’t tell me about the Champions League, these teams that are chasing him are Maccabi Haifa and Tel Aviv, those are the whipping boys of the Champions League,” he continued.
“Rele (Mofokeng) is a star, and stars go to the big leagues. These agents mustn’t be greedy because of money and say, ‘he is going overseas.’ No, there’s a difference overseas.
“Don’t tell me about Champions League football, (we want) Champions League football where we are going to see our boy shine.
“We want to see our boy in the Bundesligas of the world. We want (him) to play those teams, not knowing that tonight Rele is playing against Real Madrid and they are going to get a hiding,” he said.
“It’s difficult to come to a game if you are going to go to those two teams in Israel. You are dodging bombs on your way there. How are you going to focus on the game? It’s hard.
“So, send our boy to a safe zone. Send our boy to a place where he can grow.
“That’s where we want him to go, and if he doesn’t go, we will hold on to him here with no problem, and he is still very young.”
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