Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- Orlando Pirates say they agreed a deal with Union Saint-Gilloise before the World Cup but delayed the announcement for Bafana.
- Hugo Broos says Relebohile Mofokeng will grow in Belgium, but fans must give him time to get stronger.
Relebohile Mofokeng’s move to Belgium was already waiting while he was starring for Bafana Bafana at the World Cup.
Orlando Pirates have agreed a deal with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for the transfer of the 21-year-old winger.
Pirates said the two clubs have agreed on the transfer fee and how the deal will be structured. But the move is not complete yet.
Mofokeng still has to pass a medical and agree personal terms with the Belgian Pro League side.
Pirates said the agreement in principle with Union Saint-Gilloise was reached before the start of the Fifa World Cup.
The clubs decided not to announce it until after the tournament so Mofokeng could focus on Bafana.
Pirates also said they wanted South Africa’s historic World Cup run to take centre stage.
Mofokeng left Los Angeles on Tuesday to fly to Belgium, where he is expected to complete the move.
Union Saint-Gilloise have become one of the top clubs in Belgium and will play in the final qualifying round for next season’s Uefa Champions League.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos said the move is good for Mofokeng, but warned fans not to expect too much too soon.
“It is a good thing for him, he will progress,” Broos told SABC Sport.
“But I also think we don’t have to expect from the first day that he will play. Rele has to be stronger.”
Broos said Belgian football will test Mofokeng physically.
“It is a tough competition in Belgium and for the first five or six months it will be about his fitness, to get stronger,” he said.
“He is a talented player. Once he has the power he needs, such a competition will be no problem.”
Mofokeng was one of Bafana’s standout players at the World Cup.
He impressed after coming on at half time in the 1-1 draw with Czechia, then played a bigger role when South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to reach the knockout rounds.
Broos surprised many people when he took Mofokeng off at half time in Bafana’s last-32 match against Canada.
South Africa later conceded in stoppage time and lost 1-0 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Pirates said they will not comment further until the process between Mofokeng and Union Saint-Gilloise is complete.
Pictured above: Relebohile Mofokeng is set to leave Orlando Pirates for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.
Image source: Orlando Pirates
