Relebohile Mofokeng: Orlando Pirates Star Leaves Bafana Bafana Camp Ahead of Summer Move to Europe
- Relebohile Mofokeng has reportedly left the South African men's national team's camp ahead of a proposed move to Europe
- The Bafana Bafana star was part of the national team side that participated and made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- The Orlando Pirates star is said to be close to joining a team that would compete in the UEFA Champions League next season
Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng is said to have left Bafana Bafana camp at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles, United States to Belgium amid reports that he set to join Belgian giants Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Source: Getty Images
It is reported that the South African international will not be with the Bafana Bafana squad on their way back to South Africa after they've been knocked out of the global football competition on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The Pirates attacker was involved in Bafana Bafana's historic run at the competition in North America, but their journey came to an end in the Round of 32 after losing against one of the co-hosts, Canada, at the Los Angeles Stadium.
Hugo Broos and his boys are scheduled to depart Los Angeles for Johannesburg via Doha, with their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport expected on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
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Mofokeng leaves Bafana Bafana camp
Mofokeng, however, was granted permission to leave the Bafana Bafana squad early to finalise his anticipated switch to Europe. He has been linked with a move away from the Premier Soccer League since he announced himself with the Sea Robbers' first team under Jose Riveiro.
Rather than returning to South Africa with his teammates, the Orlando Pirates youngster is said to have travelled directly to Belgium, where he is expected to undergo routine medical tests before signing for UEFA Champions League qualifiers Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
In a viral video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by Newzroom, one of the media outlet's reporters is said to have seen Mofokeng at Los Angeles International Airport before he boarded his flight to Europe.
Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad has since reported that the 21-year-old is due to arrive in Brussels on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to complete the remaining transfer formalities.
Mofokeng's move to Belgium was confirmed
Nieuwsblad's journalist, David Van den Broeck, also confirmed the latest developments on Mofokeng's move to Belgium on his social media accounts.
Source: Getty Images
The reporter took to his official X handle to confirm the Bafana Bafana star will join Union Saint-Gilloise after impressing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"Union is close to signing a World Cup player: Relebohile Mofokeng [21], South Africa's number 10. The diminutive Orlando Pirates playmaker will travel from the US to Belgium to finalise the deal," the journalist statement reads on X.
A move to Belgium marks another significant milestone in Mofokeng's rapid rise through the ranks. After graduating from Orlando Pirates' DStv Diski Challenge side in May 2023, the attacking midfielder quickly established himself as one of South Africa's standout young talents.
The 2025/26 season proved to be the finest of his career to date. Mofokeng played a crucial role as the Soweto giants ended a 14-year wait for the Betway Premiership title, which in the process they ended Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance. They also added the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup to complete an impressive domestic treble.
Rele finished the league campaign with 10 goals and eight assists in 27 Betway Premiership matches, performances that have placed him among the favourites for both the Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the Season accolades, but he faces stiff competition from fellow Pirates teammate, Oswin Appollis.
Mofokeng reacts emotionally after the win
Briefly News previously reported that Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng was a revelation, delivering a brilliant performance in his first start of the tournament.
He was not used in the opening match and came on as a substitute during the 1-1 draw against Czechia.
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Source: Briefly News
