Former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has warned Relebohile Mofokeng that he will need to be “10 times better than the local players” if he is to succeed at new club Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.
The 21-year-old winger, who recently left Orlando Pirates for the Brussels-based side, is preparing for his first competitive appearance in Europe when Union SG face Club Brugge in the Belgian Super Cup on 31 July.
Mokoena, who spent more than a decade playing in Europe, says Mofokeng must quickly grasp the reality of being an overseas player in a highly competitive environment.
“The first thing he must understand is that he’s a foreigner,” Mokoena told iDiski Times.
“He’s going to have to be 10 times better than the local players. They accept foreign players who are exceptional.
“They accept foreign players who work hard. They accept foreign players who deliver.
“Average simply won’t do. It’s not enough just to be talented. You’ve got to show them every single week,” the former Bafana captain added.
‘Now is the time to let it out’
Mofokeng arrives in Belgium after a productive spell at Pirates, where he registered 29 goals in more than 120 appearances across all competitions.
Mokoena believes the young attacker’s ability is not in doubt, but insists his attitude and consistency will decide whether he makes a lasting impression in Europe.
“He just needs to be himself. The talent he has, now is the time to let it out. He mustn’t hide,” Mokoena said.
“If he plays well, he’ll win the supporters. And once you’ve won the supporters, you settle much quicker.
“When you’re playing every week, and the supporters accept you, settling becomes much easier. If you aren’t playing, then every day feels longer,” he added.
Union SG, one of Belgium’s most historic clubs, have re‐established themselves in recent seasons as regular contenders at the top end of the Pro League, as well as participants in European competition.
Pressure to perform in Belgium and Europe
Mofokeng is expected to feature not only in domestic competitions but also in Union SG’s push to reach the UEFA Champions League.
The Belgian side will rely on his creativity and direct running from wide areas as they attempt to compete against more established European clubs.
For Mokoena, who represented sides in England and other parts of Europe during his playing career, that means the South Africa international must quickly adjust to the heightened expectations placed on foreign recruits.
He stresses that, unlike at home where reputation can buy time, European clubs demand immediate impact from overseas signings.
Mokoena’s message underlines the challenges faced by South African footballers abroad: they must match local players physically and tactically, while also demonstrating standout quality to justify their place in the squad.
With his debut for Union SG looming and Champions League qualifiers on the horizon, Mofokeng now has the opportunity to show he can meet those demands – and to prove, as Mokoena insists, that being merely “average” will never be enough in Europe.
