With a potential European move looming for Orlando Pirates' rising star Relebohile Mofokeng, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos used Toronto's Cassius Mailula as an example when he issued a stern warning.
Bafaana is set to take on Nigeria and Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June. Broos named Mofokeng in his final 23-man squad for the two ties in what could result us a first senior national team debut for the 19-year-old.
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Mofokeng has enjoyed a sensational season with Pirates, contributing four goals and seven assists in 37 appearances from all competitions in his second season of top-flight football.
His performances and potential have not gone unnoticed, and he has reportedly attracted interest from several potential suitors and even had a trial with Premier League outfit Wolverhampton in October last year.
In doing so, Mailula would follow in the footsteps of DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season Mailula – who made a switch to Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Toronto FC in Canada.
CASH NO DEPOSIT!!!South African striker Casius Mailula made his first ever start and netted his first ever goal for Toronto FC as they thrashed Simcoe County Rovers 5-0 in the Canadian Championship.A good confidence booster for the forward ??pic.twitter.com/jE8NMqbIdw
— Prince Sobayeni Sports???? (@PrinceSobayeni1) April 25, 2024
However, Broos has warned against such a move for the teenager, citing Mailula's struggles abroad.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns starlet has made just one appearance in the MLS, alight he has featured four times in the cup competition Canadian Championship.
"I said the same for Mailula; this is not the right moment to go overseas. Firstly, he doesn't have international experience, nothing," Broos told journalists when asked about his thoughts on Mofokeng moving abroad.
"So what I said for Mailula, I repeat now for Mofokeng; 'Stay with Pirates, play another championship (season) here in South Africa- with Champions league games maybe, hopefully, and then he will be a better player."
"You see what happened with Mailula. He came to Toronto and there were two former Italian internationals.
"What are you [as the coach] going to do with a little guy from South Africa there? he played one game I think, two months ago, the rest he is on the bench. What is he learning there?"
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"So those players [who go abroad] have to play and I hope the agent for Mofokeng is more clever than the one of Mailula and decides what's important for the player, not for himself.
"So let's see. Let's see what happens. I hope, I really hope that he stays at Pirates and he stays another season."
South Africa is set to take on Nigeria on 7 June in Uya, Nigeria, before returning home to host Zimbabwe on 11 June in Bloemfontein.
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