‘HE CAN GO TO A TOP FIVE LEAGUE’
Paul Mitchell of Siyavuma Sports Group is the intermediary that has been overseeing Evidence Makgopa’s career to date and knows all too well what it takes to be successful in Europe. believes that if the lanky forward n continue to develop at the rate has so far, then he will have the at his feet. e has done really well since eaking into the Baroka first team,” tells KICK OFF. “I had seen him in the MDC [MultiChoice Diski Challenge], but once he made the transition to the first team and got the number nine role, the big thing for him was he hit the ground running.
“That is quite rare, he is a boy that has shown an abundance of confidence, plays with a smile on his face, nothing seems to faze him. I think the top strikers in the world, and in an African context the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Benni McCarthy, they all had that ex-factor.
“That ability to not be afraid of anything, with Evidence he has that similar capability. He has a raw ability and a confidence, and if he is coached in the right way, he could go far.”
Mitchell says much will depend on how quickly the striker can get over to Europe and into the system on that continent.
“The one thing about Europe, you need to go as soon as you can. There was an opportunity to go before this season, but it was not meant to be. I believe that Evidence is a player that can play in [the French] Ligue 1, [German] Bundesliga, and even the Premier League in England if he got the break.
“He has a natural ability, can finish, has a brilliant work rate and a good first touch. He is still working on various aspects of his game, but he works hard, runs the channels and is a nightmare to defend against. “I liken him to Paulo Wanchope, the striker from Costa Rica who was at Manchester City. He has got that instinct about him. If he gets the luck he needs in football and can go to Europe, he can go to one of the top five leagues.”
Mitchell warns that in football you do also make your own luck and ability is one thing, but has to be backed up with the right attitude and professionalism. “Coming with that raw ability and hunger for the game, if he remains professional, and remembers every day of his career that he must work on his game on and off the pitch, then he will do well. “These are ingredients all players must have – attitude, application and hard work. It is something a lot of players lack.
“It is great he is playing in the national team at such a young age, the coach [Hugo Broos] should be applauded for that because I feel in the past we have not been brave enough with young players. And we need to be.”