Bafana Bafana superstar Relebohile Mofokeng made his UEFA Europa League debut tonight after being named in Union Saint-Gilloise’s starting lineup to face Czechia’s Viktoria Plzeň.
The former Orlando Pirates winger almost earned an assist as early as the sixth minute at the Doosan Arena with a perfectly weighted cross that found his teammate in the box, but the subsequent header was superbly saved by Plzeň goalkeeper Florian Wiegele.
There was no denying Mofokeng in the 17th minute though! The diminutive attacker latched onto a long ball and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the box to give his side the lead.
Naturally, the goal on the European stage sent Mzansi soccer fans into a frenzy. Here is what some of them had to say on X.
🇿🇦🔥 WHAT A DEBUT!
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗙𝗢𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗚 scores just 18 minutes into his UEFA Europa League debut! 😮💨⚽️
South Africa’s star boy is making his mark on the European stage! 🫡✨
Mofokeng is HERE! 🇿🇦🔥#UEL #RelebohileMofokeng #SouthAfrica #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/IgeZSo5eaS
— Mazwi King S Mnguni (@sa_mazwi) September 17, 2026
One this about Mofokeng is that he adapts then dominate,The people of Belgium and the rest of Europe are about to find out why he is the president
— Shamase 2.0 (@uNdu_Mk2) September 17, 2026
Rele Mofokeng is generational talent, we will excel everywhere he gets a chance ,he a natural. ⚽️❤️🔥👌🇿🇦
— Ashley Serakalala (@ashseraka) September 17, 2026
Relebohile Mofokeng on the scoresheet in the Europa League tonight 🇿🇦🔥🥳
Another big European night, another reminder of the talent South Africa has on its hands. 🌟⚽ pic.twitter.com/rCKxnjN4LF
— Zulu Echo (@XZuluEchoe) September 17, 2026
Union Saint-Gilloise earned a 3-0 win on the night with Mateo Biondic and Ondrej Krichfalusi adding to the score-line.
Their next Europa League match is a tricky encounter against Spanish La Liga side Real Sociedad on 15 October 2026.
Photo: UnionStGilloise/X
