Bafana's Broos urges caution as youngsters attract European interest
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has warned of rushing Relebohile Mofokeng to find a club in Europe. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
As Bafana Bafana gear up for their upcoming international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique, national team coach Hugo Broos has voiced his support for three rising stars from Orlando Pirates looking to make their mark abroad.
Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota (both 20), and Mbekezeli Mbokazi (19) have all impressed this season, earning spots in Broos' final 23-man squad. However, the seasoned Belgian tactician is urging caution when it comes to their potential moves to Europe.
Mofokeng, a 20-year-old sensation, has become a pivotal player for Pirates, contributing significantly to the team's success across various competitions. Spanish giants Barcelona have reportedly expressed interest in both Mofokeng and Nkota, while Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly are believed to be monitoring Mbokazi.
Bafana Bafana squad for the International friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique.#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/HJHtOF1eUo — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 29, 2025
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
Underpinning his impact, Mofokeng has netted 18 goals and provided 22 assists in 89 appearances, also securing several domestic trophies since bursting onto the scene.
Broos has emphasised the importance of choosing the right club – one that offers regular game time and space for development.
'The only advice I can give to Mofokeng is that he must make the right choice. That's the only advice,' said Broos.
'Going to Europe is good, but try to make the right choice because if you go to a club where you don't have a chance to play, I think it's better to stay for one more year with Pirates. So, that's up to the player, his family, and his agent. I hope that his agent is looking at the future of the player and not his wallet.'
Broos highlighted the crucial role agents play in guiding young players through these pivotal career decisions – particularly amid heightened international interest and the sensitive transition to senior-level football abroad.
Reflecting on the case of Shandre Campbell (formerly of SuperSport United), who recently moved to Club Brugge in Belgium, Broos pointed out the risks of relocating prematurely. Though Campbell is not in Brugge's first team, he is gaining valuable experience in the Belgian second division.
'I see what's happening with Shandre at Brugge. He is not playing with the first team, but he is playing in the second division in Belgium,' said Broos.
'Brugge's second team is playing in the second division. That's the toughest division, I can assure you, and I'm sure that he is making progress too. That is the most important thing.
"So, when I say 'choose the good club', it doesn't mean he has to play directly in the first team, but he must play at a good level. I hope that if all those players go to Europe, they go to the right club.'
Shandre Campbell. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
26 minutes ago
- IOL News
Rulani Mokwena linked with Pyramids FC job after Krunoslav Jurcic exit rumours
Mokwena set for Pyramids job? Former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena's name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Croatian Krunoslav Jurcic at newly crowned African champions Pyramids FC. Photo: BackpagePix According to reports, Jurcic now looks like he's on his way out, and the next man in could be Mokwena, who was recently fired by Morocco's Wydad Casablanca after an underwhelming season. The Egyptian club made history this past weekend when they became the latest team to add their name to the list of CAF Champions League winners when they beat Sundowns in Cairo. A report in The Egyptian Telegraph suggests that club bosses at the newly crowned African champions have been impressed with what Mokwena has been able to achieve at just 38 years old, and are working behind the scenes to ensure that his next port of call is in Cairo. Should Mokwena move to Egypt, it could leave his mentor Pitso Mosimane as the favourite for the Pirates job. A report in Soccer Laduma earlier this week suggested the name of Marco Rose, formerly of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. However, due to the significant amount of money the club would need to lure the German to South Africa, it's unlikely we will be seeing him in the PSL. Mandla Ncikazi, Riveiro's number two at Pirates, was put in charge of the team on an interim basis after the Spaniard's departure. There have been calls for Ncikazi, who has intimate knowledge of the current squad, to be given the job on a full-time basis. IOL Sport
an hour ago
Orlando Pirates closing in on Stellenbosch FC defender!
Orlando Pirates are getting ready to usher in a new era at the club, ahead of the 2025/26 season. Pirates will be without coach Jose Riveiro for the first time in thee-years after the Spanish mentor joined Al Ahly. The Buccaneers are rumoured to have made at least five signings so far, with many more expected. In order to make way for these signings, it is expected that Pirates will have a mass clear out! Two players already out are Miguel Timm as well as captain Innocent Maela. The skipper will leave a gap in the defence and it now appears the club are moving quickly to fill it. According to Soccer-Laduma, Pirates are looking to reignite their interest in Stellenbosch FC defender Thabo Moloisane. 'It's believed that talks and negotiations are at an advanced stage. Pirates are really interested in beefing up their central defence and the good thing is Thabo (Moloisane) can also play at right back and they like his versatility. If all goes well then the deal could be concluded after the Bafana Bafana international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique,' said the source. A second source claims that Pirates will be looking to release more defenders to accommodate Moloisane. 'It's a process. They are looking at different options. Mind you, they will be playing in the CAF Champions League again this coming season and they will need a well-balanced squad. But at the same time, apparently they could be looking at releasing some defenders who the technical team would feel are not first team players when the season opening approaches. That's how they are looking at things,'. Said the source. Pirates fans, how big a signing would Moloisane be if you pull it through? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
an hour ago
Kaizer Chiefs back in for Elias Mokwana after treble season
Kaizer Chiefs have reignited their interest in Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana, according to reports from Tunisian outlet Nessma Sport . The Soweto giants are pushing to land the talented wide man, who currently plays for Tunisian champions Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Chiefs are now awaiting a final decision from Espérance's management as the Tunisian giants weigh up their options following a historic domestic treble. Mokwana, 25, has enjoyed a standout debut season in North Africa, featuring in 34 matches across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing four assists. Despite being an unused substitute, he was part of the Espérance squad that edged Stade Tunisien 1-0 on Sunday to lift the Tunisian Cup at the Stade Olympique Hamadi-Agrebi. That victory capped off a dominant domestic season for Espérance, who also secured the Tunisian Ligue 1 title and the Super Cup, handing Mokwana a clean sweep of local honours in his very first year. His move to Tunisia appears to have paid off almost immediately, both in terms of silverware and individual development. Mokwana's consistency at club level has helped him maintain his place in the South African national team setup. If he continues on this upward trajectory, the dynamic winger is well-positioned to feature at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals. His performances have not gone unnoticed. Chiefs, long-time admirers of the player, are believed to be keen on finally bringing him to Naturena. 'Remember Mokwana's first choice was Kaizer Chiefs before he left for Tunisia, but Sekhukhune didn't wanna sell locally,' a source revealed. With Espérance now wrapping up their domestic campaign, focus shifts to the FIFA Club World Cup this June. A prestigious stage where Mokwana will showcase his talent alongside fellow South Africans Thembinkosi Lorch and Cassius Mailula of Wydad Casablanca. Will Mokwana finally play for Kaizer Chiefs? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
