McCarthy says Mofokeng has answered Broos critics with strong Belgian start

Benni McCarthy says Relebohile Mofokeng has proved Hugo Broos wrong after making an impressive start to his career in the Belgian Pro League.

The 22-year-old left Orlando Pirates for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and has scored five goals and provided four assists in 17 appearances in all competitions.

Mofokeng’s quick adjustment to European football has also strengthened his claims to become an important player for Bafana Bafana. He played a key part in three consecutive victories last month, including successive Afcon qualifier wins against Guinea and Eritrea.

He will now aim to maintain that form when Bafana face Kenya in back-to-back Afcon qualifiers. The first meeting takes place at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, with the return fixture scheduled for Nairobi next Tuesday.

McCarthy, who will lead the Harambee Stars against his home country, was speaking about Mofokeng’s progress in an interview with SportyTV. The former Bafana forward remains South Africa’s all-time leading scorer, with 31 goals.

Broos, the former Bafana coach, had previously questioned whether Mofokeng’s slight frame would prevent him from succeeding abroad. McCarthy believes the forward’s performances have provided a direct response to those doubts.

“I think the biggest compliment I can give the boy is that he proved Hugo Broos wrong,” McCarthy said.

“Hugo Broos was highly critical of him, thinking that he was too small, he was too skinny, he was too petite, and he wasn’t up to European standards that he would not fit in.

“But he’s gone there, and he’s proven him wrong. He’s scored four goals and a couple assists already so early in the season.

“He’s proven his biggest critic wrong and that’s what I’m the most proud of the boy. And that shows that he’s South African blood and he’s a survivor. He can survive anywhere. You put him in an uncomfortable situation, and he comes up top.”

Despite praising Mofokeng’s progress, McCarthy warned the attacker that he must continue working hard and avoid becoming complacent.

He believes a strong finish to the campaign could attract interest from clubs capable of offering Mofokeng the chance to play in the Champions League next season.

“He just needs to continue, and keep on believing in himself,” McCarthy said. “That’s the biggest part of it all. He’ll then know that he’ll pull himself out of any situation. He’s got to try and pull himself out of every uncomfortable situation he finds himself in, and then he’ll flourish. It’s a great stepping stone for him.”