JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 15: Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates during the Nedbank Cup, Last 16 match between Orlando Pirates and Baroka FC at Orlando Stadium on February 15, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(Photo by Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images)
With debate on whether Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng can make it in big European leagues, along with why Kaizer Chiefs youngsters lag behind, coach Ernst Middendorp has provided insight.
Mofokeng has been dubbed as arguably the best youngster playing in the PSL, with a number of clubs abroad reportedly making offers for his services.
A large number of Pirates supporters felt Barcelona B side was too low a level for the Sharpeville native attacker following links with the Catalan giants and suggested he is good enough to go straight to top leagues in Europe.
On the other hand, Chiefs youngsters such as Mfundo Vilakazi, Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba have been inconsistent at the club, with questions being asked on whether that is the best Amakhosi can produce from the development ranks.
READ: Saleng’s Pirates Future: A Decision Made Long Ago
According to Cape Town Spurs head coach Ernst Middendorp, formerly with the Glamour Boys, there is a huge challenge in South African football, that limits the potential of youngsters coming through to the first team.
“Transitioning from the youth to the senior side, 18, 19 (years of age), totally unprepared players.
You find one with a natural talent, he can switch quite quickly but totally unprepared in terms of the tactical ambition,” Middendorp explained on SoccerBeat YouTube Channel.
“You expect the player would be able to understand what you’re talking about, in terms of verticality, switching, over-lapping, under-lapping.
The normal vocabulary you’re using inside your technical team.
“The players 18, 19, in general don’t know what you’re talking about.
The physicality is not there, the explosiveness is not there, in terms of the conditioning, they really suffer.
That’s the biggest problem, not being prepared at that age, coming from age 12 to 19, it is just not as it should be, if you want to have a good player who can compete.
I don’t see anything in the near future that will change it,” the German coach added.
READ: Chiefs Look To Lure Downs Midfielder To Naturena?
Emile Witbooi went on trials at Chelsea last year but is now back at Cape Town City, fighting for a place in the line-up.
Mofokeng went on trial at Wolverhapton Wanderers but was not successful.
However, Shandre Campbell making it to the Club Bruge UEFA Champions League squad this week is a ray of hope for youngsters coming through the academies in the country.
