As 21-year-old winger Relebohile Mofokeng begins his new chapter in Europe with Belgian Pro League outfit Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has issued a realistic, no-nonsense warning about what it takes to succeed abroad.
Mokoena—who spent over a decade competing across Europe’s top divisions—emphasized that natural talent alone won’t guarantee Mofokeng a starting spot in Belgium.
“You Have to Be 10 Times Better Than the Locals”
Speaking candidly to iDiski Times, the former Premier League defender broke down the mental and physical shift required when making the leap from the Betway Premiership to European football:
“The first thing he must understand is that he’s a foreigner,” Mokoena stated. “He’s going to have to be 10 times better than the local players. They accept foreign players who are exceptional, who work hard, and who deliver. Average simply won’t do.”
Mokoena urged the former Orlando Pirates star—who departed Soweto with an impressive return of 29 goals in over 120 appearances—not to shrink under the pressure, but to play with freedom and conviction:
“He just needs to be himself. The talent he has—now is the time to let it out. He mustn’t hide. If he plays well, he’ll win over the supporters. Once you’ve won the fans, settling into a new country becomes much easier. If you aren’t playing, every day feels longer.”
Silverware & Champions League on the Horizon
Mofokeng won’t have to wait long for his first taste of competitive action in Europe. Union SG will face Club Brugge in the Belgian Super Cup season opener on 31 July 2026.
Additionally, the former Sea Robber is set to play a crucial role as Union SG navigate the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
