Makaab urges Sanger to focus on hard work amid European interest

Agent Mike Makaab has warned Durban City midfielder Tylo Sanger that a move to Europe will demand much more than natural ability, pointing to Relebohile Mofokeng’s progress at Union SG as an example of the work required to adapt.

Makaab, the CEO of ProSport International, previously told KickOff that Sanger had attracted interest from overseas clubs. The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the promising young players in the Betway Premiership.

However, Makaab says Sanger must not become distracted by speculation about his future or assume that a move to a major European league will be straightforward.

He cited Orlando Pirates player Mofokeng, who was linked with high-profile clubs including Barcelona and sides in the English Premier League before moving to Union SG in Belgium.

“If you want to go to the next level, you have to work extremely hard,” Makaab said.

“I’m going to use an example of a player I don’t represent, Rele Mofokeng. A lot of people spoke about Rele going to Barcelona and Rele going to the EPL, Rele going there, generally what we need to understand is that it’s not an easy bridge to span, when you go from PSL football to the top leagues in the world.”

Makaab said players moving abroad had to adjust not only to a higher standard of competition, but also to more demanding training and an unfamiliar environment.

“It’s not easy at all, very few players have been able to do that not only in South Africa but in general from Africa and it’s not the talent, it’s the matter of getting used to the higher intensity of training, the higher level of competition, a foreign environment with different food, different culture,” he added.

He also highlighted the contrast between Mofokeng’s profile in South Africa and the situation he faced after arriving in Belgium.

“And don’t forget, using Mofokeng as an example, when he walked in South Africa, everybody knew him, in Belgium a month or so ago, nobody knew who Rele Mofokeng was,” Makaab said.

“Today, it is through his hard work, he is starting to make a name for himself in Belgium and it would surprise me if he stays at Union SG for more than a season or two, the way he has taken to European football.”

Makaab believes Sanger possesses the qualities needed to make a similar transition, but said the midfielder must concentrate on improving rather than listening too closely to external speculation.

“So one has to be careful when you talk about Tylo, he has great potential, I have no doubt about it, he also has a great mentality and that’s vital,” he said.

“Let’s say listen to the noise without absorbing too much of it, work even harder and prepare yourself for every training session, give yourself to the trade of your career, then you’ve got a chance of reaching the top and Tylo, I believe, is one of those players.”