Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy says he is proud of Relebohile Mofokeng for proving his critics wrong, especially former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
Mofokeng, 22, joined Belgian Pro League side Royale Union SG at the start of the current campaign following an impressive season with Orlando Pirates, helping them win a treble last season, inclusive of the Betway Premiership title, the side’s first in 14 years on his way to be voted the PSL Player of the Season.
The South African international has hit the ground running in Belgium even after Broos said the youngster might struggle to adapt in Europe, especially because of his physique.
The newly-crowned SAFJA Men’s Footballer of the Year has scored five goals and has four assists in 15 games for USG so far, and McCarthy, a former UEFA Champions League winner heaped praise on Mofokeng, saying he’s done well and can go on to do even better.
“I think the biggest compliment I can give the boy is that he proved Hugo Broos wrong,” said McCarthy on SportyTV.
“Hugo Broos was highly critical about him, thinking that he was too small, he was too skinny, he was too petite, and he wasn’t up to European standards that he would not fit in. But he’s gone there, and he’s proven him wrong. He’s scored four goals and a couple assists already so early in the season.
“He’s proven his biggest critic wrong and that’s what I’m the most proud of the boy. And that shows that he’s South African blood he’s a survivor. He can survive anywhere. You put him in an uncomfortable situation, and he comes up top.”
‘He’s got to make this year a special year’
McCarthy explained that Mofokeng now needs to continue with his fine performances to make it a special first campaign in Europe, which might open doors to bigger leagues.
“Now he just has to continue, keep believing in himself because that’s the biggest part of it all, believing in yourself. You’re the only one that can pull you out of any situation. And he’s done that, and he’s got to continue to pull himself out of every uncomfortable situation he finds himself in.
“And his football will flourish and hopefully he can establish himself well because it’s a great stepping stone. You know he’s playing for a team that’s in European football. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the Champions League, but they are in the Europa League.
“So, he plays for a team that plays European football, and they are always in the title hunt for the season in the Belgium Pro League.
“So, he’s just got to make this year a special year, and hopefully the next season he goes on. But yeah, I’m very happy that he’s proven his critics wrong, and he’s doing really well.”