AmaZulu FC star Bongani Zungu has offered candid advice to Orlando Pirates rising stars Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, providing an honest assessment of the benefits of moving overseas.
The talented duo has taken the PSL by storm following their impressive performances for Pirates since emerging from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side [DDC].
Mofokeng was promoted to the senior team in 2023, and he has established himself as a fan favourite with his dazzling skills to score and create goals.
The 20-year-old has won the PSL Young Player of the Season award for the two seasons in a row. In recent months, Mofokeng has been linked with transfer moves to overseas teams, which include Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Rangers FC, Minnesota United, and Al Ettifaq, which recently signed Mohau Nkota from Pirates.
Meanwhile, Mbokazi has also been a key figure at the heart of Pirates’ defence following his promotion in the second round of last season. In the current campaign, he has formed a solid centre-back partnership with Lebone Seema.
The KZN-born defender has also been regular in the Bafana Bafana squad in recent months, proving to be one of the reliable defenders for head coach Hugo Broos. Mbokazi started the two crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in the previous international break.
WHAT ZUNGU SAID ABOUT MOFOKENG AND MBOKAZI
When asked about the potential overseas moves of Mbokazi and Mofokeng, Zungu advised the duo to make the leap as soon as possible.
Speaking at the Carling Knockout Cup launch at FNB Stadium on Monday, the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder drew from his own experience playing in Europe with clubs like Amiens SC, Rangers FC, and Vitória SC. He stressed the importance of moving while their age is still on their side.
“You know, when I went to Europe, I was 24 years old and I was a youngster in South Africa, but they told me I was old when I got there. So they must go, the sooner they go the better,” Zungu said.
“We’ve got good players, they have a bright future, and it’s always good to have young players playing abroad, it’s a nice experience. For the country, it could be a good thing if they go as soon as possible.”
Zungu added: “I think South Africa is blessed with a lot of good young players, but I always tell them, some of them, when they call and ask for advice, I tell them ‘you better now’ because when I went to Portugal, I was 24 and I thought I was young,g but they expected me to hit the ground running.”
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