With rumours circulating about Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates player Relebohile Mofokeng, the Soweto giants officially announced on Wednesday that they have reached an agreement with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium for Mofokeng’s transfer.
Mofokeng was included in the Bafana Bafana squad that reached the knockout stage of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Although South Africa was eliminated from the tournament by Canada in the round of 32, he and the national team brought pride to the nation following a disappointing start on 11 June, when they lost the World Cup’s opening match to Mexico.
His journey is one of inspiration, of a dream that young boys and girls in the country can aspire to achieve.
Mofokeng was initially brought into the spotlight by the South African sports photographer Vino Snap, whose real name is Pitsi Vincent Matlou. Vino Snap is a highly esteemed South African sports photographer, affectionately known as “The Eye of God“.
His work showcases deep emotion and talent in grassroots and professional football. By highlighting young talents from regions like the Vaal Triangle – Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, and Sasolburg – he gives them valuable exposure. Many of those that Vino Snap has highlighted have caught the attention of big clubs, including Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Mofokeng was introduced to Pirates by the photographer and has since become a beloved figure, including among rival fans, despite, at times, causing heartbreak for the Sea Robbers’ great rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns and Chiefs.
Mofokeng was among the 11 players who previously played in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) that were included in the Bafana Bafana squad that competed in the FIFA World Cup.
The GDL is recognised as South Africa’s leading youth football development league. Launched in 2011 by the South African Football Association (SAFA), it has become an important pipeline for discovering and developing grassroots talent at top academies and clubs, including Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), the Randburg Association Football Club, Kaizer Chiefs, and Mamelodi Sundowns, who all compete in the GDL.
In recent years, the league has also provided many players to South African national development teams, including the Amajimbos (SA u17) and Amajita (SA u20), who won the u20 AFCON in 2025.
Other former GDL players who were part of the Bafana Bafana squad during the World Cup include Bradley Cross, who played for Black Aces and Wits Junior. He currently plays for the Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership and helped them to a third-place finish this season.
Ime Oko played for Randburg AFC and now plays for Hannover 96 in Germany. Samukele Kabini was with the University of Pretoria (Tuks) but now represents the Norwegian club, Molde FK, while Kamogelo Sebelebele was with Shumba Development and TS Galaxy in the GDL. He now plays for Orlando Pirates and won the Betway Premiership alongside Rele Mofokeng.
Khulumani Ndamane, who is on the books of the Caf Champions League winners, Mamelodi Sundowns, previously played for Kaizer Chiefs in the GDL. Teboho Mokoena, who netted the crucial goal for Sundowns in the second leg of the Champions League against AS Far, was with SuperSport United, now known as Siwelele, during his time in the GDL.
Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha was part of Highlands Park, which has been a dominant force in the GDL in recent seasons, clinching the league title in 2023 and 2024 before finishing as the runner-up to Sundowns in 2025.
Tsepang Moremi, a Betway Premiership league champion with Pirates, attended the Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sport School. Sundowns’ Thapelo Maseko played for SuperSport United in the GDL, while Lyle Foster, who represents English Football League Championship team, Burnley, was also with Orlando Pirates. Mofokeng represented the School of Excellence, now known as Africa School of Excellence, in the GDL.
Relebohile Mofokeng’s move to Europe and the opportunity to compete in European club competitions highlights the fact that European clubs view Africa as a source of rich talent.
Pirates have also confirmed that his transfer is contingent upon Mofokeng successfully passing a medical examination and finalising personal terms with the Belgian Pro League club.
Introduced to the Orlando Pirates first team by José Riveiro during the 2022-23 season after a year with the Pirates DStv Diski Challenge team, the young winger, nicknamed the President of Ama 2000, soon became a key player at the club and amassed over 100 appearances while helping the team to win the Betway Premiership, the MTN 8, and the Nedbank Cup.
In the 2025/26 Betway Premiership, he helped Orlando Pirates secure the title, providing 11 goals and nine assists. It was a special season for the club, which achieved a treble, also winning the MTN 8 and Carling Knockout Cup.
During the FIFA World Cup, he played three matches: as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic, he started and played for 80 minutes in the 1-0 win over South Korea, and he played 45 minutes in Bafana Bafana’s 0-1 loss to Canada.
The official social media channels of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are abuzz with excitement from South Africans as they await the formal announcement regarding Mofokeng. Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, will refrain from making any further comments until the matter between the player and the club has concluded.
Another South African who is likely keeping a close eye on the news is Shandre Campbell, a member of the 2023 SuperSport Schools Class. A product of SuperSport United, who previously played in GDL, he is currently with Club Brugge and would surely look forward to playing against his fellow countryman.
