Historic European night! Mofokeng scores the first goal of the Europa League season
The Europa League league phase is officially up and running, and its first goal belongs to a 21-year-old from South Africa writing his name into the season's history books.
Details: Relebohile Mofokeng, the 21-year-old winger of Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise and the South Africa national team, has scored the opening goal of the 2026/27 Europa League league phase. The youngster found the net in the 18th minute of the tournament's opening fixture away at Viktoria Plzen, putting the Belgian vice-champions ahead at the Doosan Arena.
Mofokeng's composed finish was more than just the first goal of the campaign: it was also the first of his career in the main draw of a European competition. The South African read the situation inside the hosts' penalty area perfectly, punishing a positional lapse by the Czech defense to silence the Doosan Arena. His journey to this moment has been remarkably fast: Mofokeng arrived in European football from South African giants Orlando Pirates, where he had earned a reputation as the standout talent of his generation. The technical, quick winger has adapted to the demands of the European game at impressive speed, establishing himself as a firm starter for Union and a regular for his national team. Union Saint-Gilloise, back on the continental stage after their recent rise to the top of Belgian football, could hardly have dreamed of a better start to their league phase campaign than a historic goal from their youngest star on the road.
It's worth noting that Mofokeng made his senior debut for Orlando Pirates as a teenager and won his first South Africa cap before turning 20.
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Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
