TS Galaxy boss Tim Sukazi has explained why he believes Orlando Pirates youngster Relebohile Mofokeng is on par with some of Europe's best young talents, particularly Spain's Lamile Yamal.
Mofokeng is a product of the prestigious Transnet School of Excellence, which has also produced the likes of Steven Pienaar and Bernard Parker.
He has been a sensation since joining Pirates' DDC team and subsequently being promoted to the first within months of his arrival.
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He contributed four goals and seven assists in his second season of topflight football and walked away with a deserved DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season award. The 19-year-old also made his Bafana Bafana debut in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier clash against Zimbabwe.
In what will be a debatable statement, Sukazi revealed that he rates Mofokeng at the same level or even higher than Yamal.
The 17-year-old Spanish international came through the prestigious La Masia academy and has made 50 appearances for Spanish outfit Barcelona last season, contributing seven goals and 10 assists.
"In South Africa, we have the talent from birth. Our players are not trained to be talented," said Sukazi.
"You can rave about Lamine Yamal, but Mofokeng at Pirates does the exact same thing, or even better. In my humble opinion, because 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're very fast, and our game is high-paced.
"But to navigate at his age and decide matches the way he does, he is at 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'm talking about. We have that kind of talent, but it must be trained by the qualified people."
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— STAR. (@makwande_m) February 27, 2024
Relebohile Mofokeng has been marvelous to watch under coach José Luis Riveiro.
Ikamva liqaqambile ?? pic.twitter.com/SMPWWtTQcE
While Sukazi's sentiments should arguably be taken with a pinch of salt, the numbers paint an interesting picture, it not is far-fetched to imagine Mofokeng in one of the top leagues in the world, especially having already attracted the interest of EPL outfit Wolverhampton Wanderes and Scottish giants Rangers.
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A few other South Africans that have played in La Liga include Benni McCarthy, who made 66 appearances for Celta Vigo, scoring 10 goals, Nasif Morris who made 49 appearances across two loan spells and Quinton Fortune who donned the colours of Atletico Madrid.
Sukazi was speaking to media at the Mpumalanga Premier International Cup over the weekend where German giants Augsburg took on Tanzania champions Young Africans on Saturday.