Orlando Pirates News Today: Massive update on Rele’s move, Broos warns star, transfers and more

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Massive update on Rele’s move, Broos warns star, transfers and more

Latest from Orlando Pirates in the last 24 hours, including Relebohile Mofokeng’s latest on his move to Belgium, why he must work harder according to Hugo Broos, and more.

Bucs star leaves for medicals

Relebohile Mofokeng has travelled from LA to Belgium to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Union Saint-Gilloise. FARPost can reveal that Rele withdrew from Bafana Bafana’s travelling party from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FARPost can reveal that the Vaal-born attacker withdrew from Bafana Bafana’s travelling party following South Africa’s FIFA World Cup exit.

Bafana Bafana’s historic World Cup campaign came to an end with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Canada in the Round of 32, with the squad scheduled to return to South Africa on a flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg via Doha this evening. Bafana are expected to land in SA at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, on Thursday morning.

However, the 21-year-old playmaker was notably absent from the travelling squad after receiving permission to begin finalising his long-awaited move to Belgium on Tuesday night. Instead of boarding the team’s return flight, Mofokeng departed separately for Belgium, where he is expected to undergo a medical before completing his transfer to UEFA Champions League-bound Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Relebohile Mofokeng playing for South Africa's Bafana Bafana.
Relebohile Mofokeng playing for Bafana Bafana. Image: Imago

Newzroom Afrika journalist Vuyo Macoba spotted Mofokeng at Los Angeles International Airport before his departure to Europe. According to Belgian publication Nieuwsblad, Mofokeng is expected in Brussels on Wednesday to complete the final formalities of the transfer. Nieuwsblad journalist David Van den Broeck also confirmed the imminent move on social media.

Ouaddou recalls treble-winning success with Fulham

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has reflected on his treble-winning success with his former Premier League club Fulham.

“It was not easy, but we achieved a very big, big target, because it has been 14 years that this club were chasing Mamelodi Sundowns to win the title, but now we managed to come back and win the title, and we won the National Cup as well, and the Carling Cup. So, yeah, it’s been a big achievement,” he opened up.

Having won 58 caps for Morocco, Ouaddou was also asked about representing the Atlas Lions.

He said: “I was born in Morocco, [but] I left Morocco when I was one year to go to France, and I lived all my life in France. But I have two countries in my heart. Actually, three!

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Photo: Orlando Pirates

“Morocco, France, and England! Of course, Morocco represents my roots, represents the country where I was born, the country that gave me the chance to compete in international football, so of course I’m following closely that team, and I really wish that this World Cup we can go far, and not just to think that it was luck in the World Cup of Qatar, you know? But I’m very proud of the path that the Moroccan football is taking.”

Mofokeng to improve in Belgium

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos believes that Relebohile Mofokeng’s imminent move to former Belgian champions Royale-Union St Gilloise is going to benefit him greatly.

“I think it’s a good thing for him, and he will progress, but we mustn’t expect that he will play from the first day,” he said as quoted by SABC Sport.

“I think he will progress, but Rele must be stronger, it’s a very tough competition in Belgium, and in the first five to six months they will work a lot on his physical strength. 

Hugo Broos and Relebohile Mofokeng.
Hugo Broos and Relebohile Mofokeng. Photo: SAFA Media

“He’s a talented player, and once you have the power you need for such a competition, there will be no problem at all,” the tactician concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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