Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana striker Evidence Makgopa, who previously attracted reported interest from Danish club Copenhagen FC, ultimately chose to continue his career in South Africa by joining Orlando Pirates from Baroka FC.
READ: Can PSL Clubs Outbid Saudi Interest For Zungu?
Dylan Kerr, Makgopa's former coach at Baroka, believes that this decision might have been a missed opportunity for the striker to elevate his career on the European stage. Speaking to Soccer Laduma from his base in Europe, Kerr expressed his views on a lack of South African players embracing opportunities abroad.
"There was a time Evidence (Makgopa) was supposed to go to Europe. I think it was in Denmark but instead he joined Orlando Pirates. That was the right time for him to have left and went to Europe. I know him as a player and as a person. He could have made it in Europe and become a big star. I think he couldn't have spent a long time in Denmark as teams from the Premier League could have scouted and signed him," Kerr told Soccer Laduma.
Kerr, who has extensive coaching experience in South Africa with teams including Moroka Swallows, attributed Makgopa's decision to stay in South Africa as a common problem among PSL players.
READ: Amakhosi Re-visit Mokwana Interest
"I think it's the fear of the unknown. Not knowing where you are going and being in the comfort of home hence he chose Pirates instead of going to Europe. He is a great striker. The quality that European teams look at and as I have said, he could have become a star if he had moved at that time. But the fear kept him at home," Kerr concluded.
Since joining Pirates in the 2022/23 season, Makgopa has made just 24 appearances in the DStv Premiership due to injuries, scoring five goals—all of which came during the recently concluded 2023/24 season. Additionally, he represented Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
As Makgopa continues to develop his skills in the DStv Premiership, the question remains whether a future move abroad could still materialise and fulfill the potential that coaches like Kerr see in him.
