Mofokeng Scores First Europa League Goal As Union SG Beat Viktoria Plzen
Bafana Bafana attacker Relebohile Mofokeng scored his first European goal as Royale Union Saint-Gilloise comfortably defeated Viktoria Plzeň 3-0 at Doosan Arena in the UEFA Europa League league phase on Thursday.
It proved to be a standout night for both the Belgian side and Mofokeng, with the former Orlando Pirates star threatening on multiple occasions before being substituted in the second half.
Mofokeng opened the scoring in the 17th minute following superb build-up play from Massire Sylla. Sylla launched a precise long pass into space, allowing Mofokeng to sprint clear and beat goalkeeper Florian Wiegele with a clinical finish into the left side of the net.
The 21-year-old came close to doubling his tally shortly after, unleashing a first-time strike from just outside the penalty area that forced Wiegele into a sharp save.
Union Saint-Gilloise doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute following a lightning-fast counterattack. Louis Patris drove into space before sliding a pass to Mateo Biondić, who coolly slotted home past the keeper.
Mofokeng had another golden opportunity to extend the lead before the break when he collected a diagonal pass and burst into the box, but Wiegele was well-positioned to turn away his low strike toward the bottom-left corner.
The Belgian champions wrapped up the scoring when Ondřej Křičfaluši rose highest inside the box to power home a header from Besfort Zeneli’s pinpoint corner, with the ball bouncing off the turf and into the corner of the net.
With the Czech hosts thoroughly beaten, Union manager Sebastien Pocognoli withdrew Mofokeng just after the hour mark, sending on 21-year-old Ilan Hurtevent.
Operating in his preferred number 10 role, Mofokeng logged 34 touches—including four inside the opposition box—and won two duels. The goal takes his tally to three across all competitions for Saint-Gilloise this season, having previously scored in 5-1 domestic victories over Westerlo and Sint-Truiden.
Union Saint-Gilloise resume their Europa League campaign on 15 October when they host Spanish outfit Real Sociedad at Den Dreef.
Before that European fixture, Mofokeng will link up with Bafana Bafana for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea on 26 September and Eritrea four days later, followed by an international friendly against Egypt in Cairo on 4 October.
