TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi is convinced that Orlando Pirates youngster Relebohile Mofokeng is on the same level as Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
The prodigious Spaniard recently lifted the 2024 European Championship with La Roja where he was voted as the Young Player of the Tournament.
Mofokeng similarly clinched silverware in the Premier Soccer League as he walked away with the DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season and the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament gongs.
After impressive seasons by both the 17-year-old Lamal and Mofokeng, who celebrates his 20th birthday in October, Sukazi is of the view that there is no separating the two, who are tipped to be players for the future.
“In South Africa, we have the talent, from birth. Our players are not trained to be talented,” Sukazi said at the launch of the Mpumalanga Premier’s International Cup.
“You can rave about Lamine Yamal, but Mofokeng at Pirates does the exact same thing, or even better, in my humble opinion. Our league is much faster than what you see in La Liga.
“They are slow, they have time on the ball, they are technical and they are very much aware but we are very fast and our game is high-paced.
“To navigate at his age and decide matches the way he does, he is in the exact, if not better level than Yamal of Barcelona. If you don’t believe me, put them on the field together, you will see what I am talking about. We have that kind of talent but it must be trained by the qualified people,” Sukazi explained.
"In order for Rulani to coach in Europe, fortunately, or unfortunately he must hold a UEFA Pro Licence, that's the demand."
Meanwhile, Sukazi shared his thoughts on former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician Rulani Mokwena’s move to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.
Mokwena is believed to be in possession of a CAF Pro License, which is the highest qualification on the continent, but Sukazi hopes the 37-year-old mentor can acquire the more prestigious UEFA Pro License – one that Galaxy mentor Sead Ramovic has.
“I know that CAF has a Pro License, and it is also of a high standard. I would love to see him coach there one day. He has taken the first step and he needs our support.
Before leaving Masandawana after an unexpected turn of events at Chloorkop, Mokwena had led Downs to a seventh straight league crown and won the DStv Premiership with a record-breaking 73 points.
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“I don’t think he will have it easy and smooth sailing as it was at Sundowns.
“Here you can do things the South African way, you can relate to players and be very close, but players in foreign markets respond differently, especially in the Arabic nations. He will learn to reconfigure his methods and approach to player management.
“You can rant in a particular way to South African players, and probably not the same to a player in Morocco. But he is a sharp guy, he will adjust and he will do us proud. Coach Pitso Mosimane has done it and his records are there for everyone to see.
Galaxy, meanwhile, hosted the first leg of the Premier’s International Cup on July 20 at the Mbombela Stadium where they shared the spoils in a two-all draw. The Rockets are set to face Tanzania heavyweights Young Africans in the same venue later this week.
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