Relebohile Mofokeng’s first competitive appearance in European football could hardly have gone any better.
The Bafana Bafana star played around 30 minutes before stepping up to score the decisive penalty as Royale Union Saint-Gilloise defeated Club Brugge to lift the 2026 Belgian Super Cup.
For the 21-year-old, it means a first European trophy less than a month after completing his move from Orlando Pirates.
Mofokeng Gets His Competitive Debut
Mofokeng started the Super Cup on the bench before being introduced in the 61st minute, with Union SG trailing Club Brugge.
Club Brugge had taken the lead shortly after half-time, but Union fought their way back into the contest when Kevin Mac Allister equalised in the 77th minute.
With the match ending 1-1, the trophy would ultimately be decided from the penalty spot.
And Mofokeng was about to play a defining role.
Clutch Moment for the South African
Despite only recently arriving in Belgium, Mofokeng was trusted to take one of Union SG’s penalties in a high-pressure shoot-out.
With an opportunity to win the trophy, the South African stepped forward and converted the decisive spot-kick to complete a 5-4 shoot-out victory.
It was a significant show of confidence in a youngster making his first official appearance for the club.
Thirty minutes of competitive European football. A pressure penalty. A trophy secured.
It was quite the introduction.
First European Trophy Secured
Mofokeng completed his move from Orlando Pirates to Union Saint-Gilloise on 2 July, beginning a new chapter after establishing himself as one of South African football’s brightest talents.
Less than a month later, he already has European silverware to his name.
The Belgian Super Cup may only represent the beginning of a demanding season, but lifting a trophy on his competitive debut gives Mofokeng the perfect platform from which to build.
Attention will now turn to earning more minutes and establishing himself in Union SG’s starting XI as domestic and European challenges await.