Relebohile Mofokeng is set to leave South Africa in the coming days to join Belgian side Royal Union Saint-Gilloise for the start of pre-season.
The 21-year-old attacker recently completed his move to the Belgian club before briefly returning home ahead of the new campaign.
While many fans expect Mofokeng to make an immediate impact, former Bafana Bafana midfielder Masilo Modubi believes the youngster will need time to adapt to his new surroundings.
Will Relebohile Mokokeng play for first team?
Modubi pointed to the example of Shandre Campbell, who left SuperSport United to join Club Brugge. Campbell initially featured for the club’s reserve team before earning promotion to the senior squad.
“When you join a new team, you have to adjust. But when you look at him (Campbell), I think he hit the ground running because he started with the reserve team before moving up to the first team. He was also included in the Champions League squad.
“If you think about it, it means he has been doing well because I know that here in Belgium they take player development very seriously,” Modubi said on Soccer Beat.
Having spent much of his playing career in Belgium, Modubi believes Mofokeng has the qualities needed to thrive in European football.
“I haven’t seen much of him [Relebohile Mofokeng], to be honest, apart from the highlights. I watched the World Cup, especially the game against Korea, and that’s where I saw most of his talent. I think he will play,” he said.
“When you come to Europe, it’s all about your mentality. He has a very good chance of making it here because he comes from the School of Excellence, has already spent time away from home, and understands what to expect.”
Relebohile Mofokeng might be thrown on the reserve side for a month or so to adjust, should he struggle during pre-season.
