A PSL coach has discussed whether one pre-season friendly in Spain for Orlando Pirates against a team like Plymouth Argyle could be enough to earn a player a move abroad.
Pirates have returned to Spain for their pre-season tour, after first heading to Marbella ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
In the previous pre-season tour, Patrick Maswanganyi, a new signing at the time, was reported to have impressed the most and went on to win DStv Players' Player of the Season, Midfielder of the Season and Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament awards.
READ: Dead end for Khune, but…
There has been talk, both locally and in Europe, that the Buccaneers' most promising youngster Relebohile Mofokeng has attracted interest from various European clubs, including English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he has already undergone assessment.
The 19-year-old had a season to remember, his first in the topflight, after he was promoted by head coach Jose Riveiro.
After Ezimnyama Ngenkani announced that they were headed back to Spain, already supporters were starting to anticipate that the stage could be set for 'Rele' to market himself further to overseas teams, who would have a closer look at him.
After facing English Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle, managed by Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, where Pirates earned a credible 2-2 draw last Friday, the Soweto giants will face Sevilla on Monday evening.
All that said, is it enough in these pre-season matches, for a European or overseas team to be impressed so much that they would be convinced to sign or invite a player from a team like Pirates?
"Look, you've got 90 minutes to go and perform, you've got 90 minutes to show Rooney that you can play," Marumo Gallants head coach Dylan Kerr explained, speaking exclusively to KickOff.
"That kind of manager and their coaching staff, they identify players very quickly. He's good on the ball, he's good off the ball, if he's got good movement, good positioning and if he's got good ideas, then they would see that.
READ | Gayton: Why must we spend R1.3 million on Mama Joy?
"All the youngsters [at Pirates] that need to go to Europe, they've got an opportunity. Don't come back and say, 'Oh, I should have done' or 'I wish I had...' because you know you may never line up against Wayne Rooney's team ever again."