Quinton Fortune Says European Moves Could Lift South African Football

Quinton Fortune believes Relebohile Mofokeng and Olwethu Makhanya can benefit South African football by taking on new challenges in Europe. The former Bafana Bafana and Manchester United midfielder welcomed their moves abroad, saying the experience could help both players develop and strengthen the national side. Mofokeng moved from Orlando Pirates to Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Fortune said he had watched the young attacker at the World Cup and felt a European switch would be an important step. He described the move as a major opportunity for Mofokeng and for the national team, according to his comments. The 22-year-old has already played in the Europa League and scored for Union SG as he adjusts to Belgian football. Fortune sees the league as a useful environment for the player to learn through regular matches against varied opposition. Makhanya, meanwhile, moved from Philadelphia Union to Scottish club Rangers. Fortune said he had followed the defender during his time in Major League Soccer and called the switch a significant career step. He argued that the Scottish Premiership would offer a demanding setting in which Makhanya could improve. The defender has also experienced the Old Firm fixture, Rangers’ high-pressure rivalry match. Fortune pointed to that occasion as an unusually valuable introduction to the intensity of top-level football, saying Makhanya could hardly have asked for a more challenging experience. Fortune’s broader message was that South African players should take opportunities to compete in Europe when they arise. He has advocated for moves abroad for years, arguing that exposure to stronger competition can help players grow. In his view, that development could ultimately benefit Bafana as more South Africans test themselves at a higher level.