Relebohile Mofokeng is ready for two special matches in Belgium after helping his club to a big European win. Royale Union Saint-Gilloise beat Hapoel Beer-Sheva 4-0 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night. The young South African contributed an assist in the game. He has now recorded two goal involvements in his first three Europa League matches this season.

Mofokeng’s next two fixtures will both bring him face to face with fellow South African players. On Sunday, 25 October, Union Saint-Gilloise travel to face Cercle Brugge. Luke Le Roux is currently on the books at Cercle Brugge. The defender joined the club earlier this season as a free agent after ending his contract with Portsmouth in the English Championship. Le Roux has made only two appearances so far. He became eligible to play only this month once his paperwork was finalised and he got up to speed with the team.

Mofokeng’s second upcoming match is against SK Beveren. Kurt Abrahams, the Cape Town-born winger, plays for Beveren. Abrahams is 29 years old. It is not yet clear whether he will be available for the game. He is still recovering from a knock and his fitness remains in question.

These two fixtures create rare South African derbies for Mofokeng on foreign soil. He will line up against countrymen who are also trying to make their mark in European football. For South African fans, the matches offer an extra reason to follow the games closely. Mofokeng has settled well at Union Saint-Gilloise in his first season abroad. His early contributions in the Europa League have already drawn attention back home. Now he has the chance to test himself against other South African talent while continuing his own progress in Belgium. The two matches should provide interesting contests and a reminder of the growing number of South African players competing at a high level overseas.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2113578742530380059