South African international Relebohile Mofokeng has been shortlisted for the Belgian Jupiler Pro League’s October Player of the Month award following his performances for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
The former Orlando Pirates midfielder is among three nominees for the monthly prize, which is organised by Belgian publications DH/Les Sports+ and RTBF Sports in partnership with the league.
Mofokeng faces competition from Club Brugge forwards Nicolo Tresoldi and Carlos Forbs.
DH/Les Sports+ confirmed the 22-year-old’s inclusion on the shortlist, with supporters able to vote for their preferred candidate. Voting is scheduled to close on Friday.
Mofokeng currently leads the public poll, although the standings have continued to fluctuate.
First Major Award Within Reach Since Move to Belgium
The October award is currently held by Mofokeng’s Royale Union teammate Mateo Biondic, who received the September Player of the Month recognition.
A victory would give Mofokeng his first major individual award since joining the Belgian club before the start of the current season.
The midfielder moved to Europe after establishing himself at Orlando Pirates and has been working to make an impact in Belgian football.
Mofokeng Records Goals and Assists During October
Mofokeng contributed one goal and one assist across three Jupiler Pro League appearances during October.
He also registered an assist in Royale Union’s UEFA Europa League campaign during the same period.
His performances earned him a place alongside two Club Brugge players whose contributions have also placed them among the contenders for the monthly award.
Tresoldi and Forbs Present Strong Competition
Tresoldi enters the contest with five league goals from three October matches, including a hat-trick. The Germany youth international also scored a hat-trick against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
Forbs has recorded two goals and four assists in his last four appearances for Club Brugge.
The statistics place both forwards among the leading performers considered for the October recognition.
Chris O’Loughlin’s Presence Helped Mofokeng Settle in Belgium
Mofokeng joined Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at a time when former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Chris O’Loughlin was serving as the club’s sporting director.
Former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos previously said O’Loughlin’s presence could make the midfielder’s transition to European football easier.
Broos explained that moving from South Africa to Europe involves adjusting to a different culture and being far from home, particularly during the early months.
Speaking to Belgian publication Nieuwsblad last month, he said having someone familiar with South African culture and mentality around Mofokeng was a significant advantage.
Broos added that such support could be particularly valuable during a player’s first weeks and months in a new country.
