Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi says he couldn’t be happier for Relebohile Mofokeng after securing a move overseas and also revealed what he told the Bafana Bafana stars’ mother.
Mofokeng signed a four-year deal with Belgian side Royale Union SG with an option to renew for a further year. The 21-year-old leaves after an impressive stint with Pirates where he’s won nine trophies with the first team, which also includes a League title achieved in the treble-winning 2025/26 campaign.
The attacker has also cemented his place in the senior national team and was part of the historic class of 2026 that got out of the group at the FIFA World Cup. Lekgwathi praised Mofokeng saying he leaves South Africa already as a legend and at a young age.
The former Buccaneers skipper added that it’s even better that Mofokeng is not going to an unknown league which Lekgwathi also believes is a stepping stone to bigger things.
“Personally, I’m so happy especially because of his age going to play in Europe,” Lekgwathi told iDiski Times.
“It’s a well-deserved move. At the age of 21 he has achieved, he is a legend, left a legacy, left his mark at a team like Orlando Pirates.
“I think this is a great opportunity for him. I’m so happy for him. I remember talking to him one day saying that sometimes you don’t have to look at other people and the moves they are making.
“I said to him you are a special player you don’t deserve to go to so-called small countries. We want you to go to a country where we’ll still be able to watch Rele Mofokeng. People like watching him, even myself as a former player I enjoy watching Rele Mofokeng.
“I’m happy he went to Belgium and it’s a stepping stone like [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi, he went to USA and people had a lot to say. I said the boy is going there and it’s just a stepping stone and he will get a bigger contract, so the same with Rele.
“I also remember talking to his mother saying to her she must always encourage him to not worry and look where other people are going and that he’s a special player and his opportunity, a special opportunity was coming and to encourage him to work hard.
“He has listened to his parents’ advises and ours as well and he is disciplined.”
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