Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng has travelled directly from Los Angeles to Belgium to undergo a medical ahead of completing a high-profile move to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
FARPost can reveal that the Vaal-born attacker withdrew from Bafana Bafana’s travelling party following South Africa’s FIFA World Cup exit.
Bafana Bafana’s historic World Cup campaign came to an end with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Canada in the Round of 32, with the squad scheduled to return to South Africa on a flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg via Doha this evening. Bafana are expected to land in SA at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, on Thursday morning.
However, the 21-year-old playmaker was notably absent from the travelling squad after receiving permission to begin finalising his long-awaited move to Belgium on Tuesday night. Instead of boarding the team’s return flight, Mofokeng departed separately for Belgium, where he is expected to undergo a medical before completing his transfer to UEFA Champions League-bound Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Newzroom Afrika journalist Vuyo Macoba spotted Mofokeng at Los Angeles International Airport before his departure to Europe. According to Belgian publication Nieuwsblad, Mofokeng is expected in Brussels on Wednesday to complete the final formalities of the transfer. Nieuwsblad journalist David Van den Broeck also confirmed the imminent move on social media.
[WATCH] #Newzroom405’s @vuyo_macoba caught Relebohile Mofokeng departing Los Angeles International Airport following the end of Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup campaign. Mofokeng has been strongly linked with a move to Belgian Pro League side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. pic.twitter.com/b85AInj95o
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 30, 2026
WHAT VAN DEN BROECK WROTE ABOUT RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG’S TRANSFER
“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,” Van den Broeck posted on X.
The move caps a remarkable rise for one of South Africa’s brightest young talents. Since earning promotion from Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge side to the senior team in May 2023, he has developed into one of the country’s most exciting prospects.
Mofokeng enjoyed a sensational 2025/26 campaign, playing a key role as Pirates ended their 14-year wait for the Betway Premiership title, then lifting the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup to complete a memorable domestic treble.
The gifted attacker contributed 10 league goals and eight assists in 27 Betway Premiership appearances and is widely regarded as one of the leading contenders for the Footballer of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
His outstanding club form translated onto the international stage, where he produced flashes of brilliance for Bafana Bafana, particularly in the group-stage clash against the Czech Republic. South Africa reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stages for the first time after finishing second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico before eventually bowing out to Canada.
Mofokeng had also featured at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, further enhancing his growing reputation on the international stage.
In just three seasons with the Buccaneers, he has contributed to more than 60 goals across all senior competitions, cementing his status as one of the club’s most influential players before earning his long-awaited move to European football.
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