JOHANNESBURG — The golden boy of South African football is officially headed to Europe, but he isn’t leaving without paying the ultimate tribute to the club that made him.
Following the confirmation of his blockbuster transfer to Belgian top-flight side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, 21-year-old sensation Relebohile Mofokeng has penned a deeply emotional, six-page farewell letter to Orlando Pirates, declaring: “This is not goodbye.”
Gratitude to “The Ghost”
Rather than a standard, brief social media caption, the Bafana Bafana international released a heartfelt statement reflecting on his rapid rise from Sharpeville to the global stage.
“I write this message with a heart full of gratitude, pride, and emotion as I bid farewell to Orlando Pirates Football Club,” Mofokeng wrote. “Every training session, every match, every victory, and every challenge has shaped me both as a footballer and as a person.”
He reserved a special, emotional note for the club’s fanatical fanbase:
“To the Orlando Pirates supporters—the Ghost—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your passion, loyalty, and unwavering support have inspired me every time I stepped onto the pitch. Wearing this badge in front of you was a privilege I will never take for granted.”
A Storybook Rise: Sharpeville to Brussels
Mofokeng’s journey reads like a movie script. In just a few short years, he went from playing youth football in Gauteng to starring on the world stage.
The Genesis
Oct 2004 – 2022
Born in Sharpeville, Mofokeng honed his skills at Celeb’s Youth Academy and the Transnet School of Excellence before catching the eye of Pirates scouts in 2022.
First Team Debut
May 2023
Made his senior debut against Royal AM at just 17 years old, immediately turning heads with his fearlessness and technical dribbling.
Cup Final Heroics
June 2024
Scored the iconic, dramatic stoppage-time winner against Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2024 Nedbank Cup final to cement his cult-hero status.
The Treble & Treble-Double
2025/26 Season
Honored his promise to stay and win the league, registering a stellar 10 goals and 8 assists to guide Pirates to a domestic treble and the Betway Premiership title.
European Transfer
July 2026
Completes a highly anticipated, multi-million Rand transfer to Belgian giants Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
