Fortune urges South Africa’s emerging stars to ‘go to Europe’

Former Bafana Bafana and Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune believes Relebohile Mofokeng and Olwethu Makhanya’s moves to Europe can help strengthen South African football and take the national team to another level.

Mofokeng has joined Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise from Orlando Pirates, while defender Makhanya moved from Philadelphia Union to Scottish giants Rangers.

Fortune says both players have chosen challenging environments that can accelerate their development and ultimately benefit Bafana.

The former midfielder said he first saw Mofokeng during the World Cup and quickly formed the view that the young attacker needed to continue his career in Europe.

“It’s brilliant to see Relebohile Mofokeng in Europe. This is one of the best things that could have happened for him and the national team. I knew a little bit about him before, but I watched him during the World Cup and I said he needs to go to Europe and boom, he got the move to Belgium,” Fortune said.

Mofokeng has already appeared in European competition, featuring in the Europa League and scoring for Union SG as he adjusts to football in Belgium.

Fortune believes the Belgian league offers the 22-year-old a strong platform to develop, particularly because of the regular opportunities to face different opponents and continue learning.

Makhanya’s switch to Rangers is also viewed by Fortune as an important stage in the defender’s career. He believes playing in Scotland’s demanding football environment can speed up the player’s progress.

“I’ve seen Olwethu Makhanya a little bit when he was in MLS before. This is a great move for him. This is unbelievable to be able to play for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Again, if he wants to improve, that’s what he’s got to do,” he said.

Makhanya has already played in the Old Firm fixture, an experience Fortune believes will help him understand how to perform under intense pressure.

“MLS, with all due respect, is a great league, but European football is just another level. He will improve there, he played in the Old Firm. I mean, you couldn’t ask for a better experience in football. The Old Firm is football at its most pressured,” Fortune added.

For Fortune, the significance of the two transfers extends beyond the individual players. He has consistently encouraged South African footballers to accept opportunities abroad, arguing that exposure to stronger competition is vital to their progress.

“For any South African players that are able to play in Europe, I’ve been saying this for years, when they have the opportunity, go.

“Because that’s the only way they can improve their football, and that’s going to strengthen the national team.”

Fortune cited Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho as examples of players who left their home countries to experience different football environments.

He believes South Africa needs more players to follow a similar route if Bafana are to compete more effectively with the world’s best teams.

Mofokeng and Makhanya’s moves could now encourage more South African talent to pursue careers in Europe.