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Johannesburg - Highly rated Bafana Bafana midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo believes he made the right move by joining English Championship side Brentford.
Many South Africans had expected the 26-year-old to move straight into the English Premiership after making a name for himself over eight years in premier Dutch league Eredivisie.
But he says he thought long and hard about his move to the second-tier league in England and was happy with his decision.
“That’s a good environment for me to grow as a footballer and as a person,” said Mokotjo this week.
“Now my first priority is to get the football side of things sorted.”
He conceded that the decision was one of the toughest he’s had to make.
“I’m adapting very well. This was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my football career. I feel I need more time because the league is very intensive; the players are very athletic and professional,” he said.
“For me, it was a professional decision. I always do things very thoughtfully. I had several discussions with teams and I knew who wanted me most, who had been scouting me for the longest time and who felt I was the missing piece in their puzzle.
“It wasn’t about game time because you are never really guaranteed it, even if you are a new player. You work your way in. It was a professional decision to move to a club that tried to sign me two years ago, but couldn’t do it because of a work permit [issue].”
Mokotjo had to renounce his South African citizenship to obtain Dutch status, which made him eligible to play more freely in Europe.
He said some things would have to change in his life if he were to make a go of things.
“A lot of things have to change when it comes to my personality – on and off the field. But it is a good environment to grow as a person and a footballer. It has always been one of my dreams to make a move to England, but it had to be the right club. There were others who showed interest, but I felt Brentford was the right club for me. They have had an interest in me for the longest time.”
Mokotjo has made an impression at his new club, starting four of their five games so far this season, although they are yet to win a match.
