21-year-old Rebohile Mofokeng's Belgian moved hailed as one of the buttons to reset South African football.
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Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams believes Relebohile Mofokeng’s move to Belgium represents exactly the direction South African football needs to move towards.
The 21-year-old attacker officially completed his transfer on Thursday, signing a four-year deal in what many view as another major step in the rapid rise of one of the country’s brightest young talents.
Mofokeng emerged as one of the breakout stars during South Africa’s FIFA World Cup campaign as well as the Premier Soccer League, producing fearless performances on the global stage despite his age and limited senior international experience.
For Williams, the move abroad is not only important for the player himself, but for the future growth of Bafana Bafana as a whole.
“I mean, for Rele, it’s amazing. We are all happy, we are proud. And we will continue supporting him,” Williams said.
“And like the coach has mentioned so many times, this is what we need. It’s more exports, the players playing at the biggest level.
“And that will help us. That can only benefit us as a team.”
Mofokeng himself also described the move as the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition after officially being unveiled by his new club.
“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a dream to play in Europe and to begin our Champions League qualifying campaign soon,” Mofokeng said.
“The past year has been very special, with the league title, my first FIFA World Cup with South Africa and now this important step in my career.
“I hope to continue developing as a player here. Together with the team, we’ll do everything we can to compete for trophies.”
Hugo Broos repeatedly highlighted throughout the World Cup the importance of South African players competing consistently at higher levels abroad, particularly after Bafana’s elimination to Canada exposed the physical and tactical demands of elite international football.
Mofokeng now becomes part of a growing generation attempting to bridge that gap.
The youngster’s rise also symbolises the broader shift currently taking place inside the national team.
While experienced figures such as Williams, Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena carried much of Bafana’s responsibility over recent years, the World Cup introduced a younger core capable of shaping the future of the national side.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Ime Okon also emerged during the tournament, while Tshepang Moremi and other younger players showed little fear against elite opposition.
Williams believes those opportunities became possible largely because of Broos’ willingness to trust youth at the highest level.
“And obviously the coach had his key players that’s always been there, that’s carried the team for a long time,” Williams explained.
“But the players that emerged in South Africa, all the young guys, are special players. And there’s so many of them that just flocked and came out of nowhere.”
The Bafana captain also admitted he envies the experience younger players are now gaining so early in their careers.
“We need to give credit to the coach as well for entrusting them at this big level, at AFCON, getting that experience.
“It’s at a World Cup now, it can only do their careers wonders. I wish I played a World Cup at 20 years old because I know what that would have done for my career.
“So, but I’m glad and proud of them, they deserve it, they worked so hard.”