Ex-Orlando Pirates star Benni McCarthy joins the big Relebohile Mofokeng-to-Europe debate - 'He is generations ahead of the current crop of players'

Orlando Pirates midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng has been linked with overseas clubs from Spain and Israel.

And now, with the current transfer window open across the globe, we could see the Buccaneers star being signed by a club in Europe after a season in which he took the next step in becoming a full South Africa international.

Former Bafana Bafana forward Benni McCarthy believes Mofokeng is ripe for an overseas move.

“I’ve watched him several times, and I think he’s got huge potential. He’s got the mentality, the football brains, and mentality of players from my generation,” McCarthy said as per IOL.

“He’s generations ahead of the current crop of players. I think he’s got what it takes to make it in Europe. I would encourage him to find a way to play in Europe. South Africa, yes, it has some of the best players in Africa, but Africa is a small continent in football terms. 

“When you play in Europe, you get the chance to play against the biggest and the best. It’s you against the world," added the Bafana Bafana legend.

“I think he should consider going to the Scottish league, somewhere like that, so he can work his way up from there. Rangers and Celtic always need strikers they can bring on and develop before selling on to bigger clubs. 

“Some players are happy to stay in Africa, and they can make a decent living, but they become irrelevant if they don’t test themselves as hard as they can. If you play in Europe, you can excel, and he could also move to the Dutch or the Portuguese leagues," continued the Kenya coach. 

“If you succeed there, it’s only a matter of time before the Premier League sides come calling. I think he’s got the ability, and he needs to give himself the opportunity.”

The prospect of Mofokeng moving to Europe after three seasons of playing Premier Soccer League football has divided opinion.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos feels it would be a premature move for the Pirates star to go overseas now.

But others like Bafana legend Lucas Radebe believe it is the right moment for the 20-year-old to leave the Buccaneers.

The player's father, Sechaba Mofokeng, has also made it clear he wants to see his son playing in Europe and should not play in the PSL again.

Mofokeng is currently preparing for the 2025/26 season with Pirates, but there could be a possibility of him leaving the Soweto giants before the start of the term.

In the event he stays with the Buccaneers, he would be hoping to improve on his form to stand a chance of going to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals with Bafana, and ultimately earning that move to a European league.