Relebohile Mofokeng was on a plane to Belgium within 72 hours of Bafana Bafana's World Cup exit. That tells you everything about how his stock has moved.
Orlando Pirates confirmed Wednesday that Belgian champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise have tabled a deal for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder, with Mofokeng already in Belgium to finalise medical and personal terms. The groundwork had been laid before the tournament even started — the World Cup just made it official.
What Union are getting
This is a smart landing spot for Mofokeng. Union have built a genuine reputation for developing emerging talent into sellable assets — Victor Boniface, Deniz Undav, Mohamed Amoura and former Bafana man Percy Tau all came through their system before moving to bigger stages. If Mofokeng can follow that trajectory, the Belgian Pro League is exactly the right level: competitive enough to test him, structured enough not to swallow him whole.
On the ball, he's the kind of player who makes defenders feel uncomfortable before he's even touched it. Close control, directness, and a willingness to take people on in tight spaces. Broos used him off the bench in the World Cup and he still made an impression. That's not easy at a tournament of that scale for a player his age.
Mbokazi and Appollis aren't far behind
The Mofokeng deal is just the opening act. Mbekezeli Mbokazi, still only 20, has clubs from England, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands running the rule over him after a tournament where he looked nothing like a player who only moved to Chicago Fire eight months ago for $3 million.
He was named in MLS's All-Star First XI — one of just five World Cup participants to make the cut via a combined vote of fans, players and media. Central defenders who can step out with the ball, win headers and hit diagonal switches don't grow on trees. Chicago have no reason to sell in a panic, which means any European club serious about him will have to pay well above what Fire spent to get him.
Then there's Oswin Appollis. The 24-year-old winger is probably the quietest of the three names circulating, but interest from North Africa and Europe has been building steadily. Pirates already lost Mofokeng — they'll dig their heels in hard over Appollis. Expect an asking price that makes potential buyers think twice.
- Relebohile Mofokeng — Joining Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium), deal subject to medical and personal terms
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi — Still at Chicago Fire, attracting interest from across Europe's top five leagues
- Oswin Appollis — Linked to clubs in North Africa and Europe, Pirates reluctant to sell
Bafana reached the round of 32 — the furthest any South African side has ever gone at a World Cup — before a stoppage-time defeat to Canada ended the run in LA. For the players involved, that result stings. For their market value, it was the best advertisement they could have asked for.
