THE CRAFTSMAN Teboho Mokoena is ready to perfect his trade at Mamelodi Sundowns Photos: BackpagePix By: Herman Gibbs The prodigious Teboho Mokoena was undoubtedly the marquee signing of the Premier Soccer League’s January transfer window. The SuperSport United kingpin Mokoena, was nearing the end of his contract, and the January window presented his club with an opportunity to fill their coffers. Belgian club Anderlecht were among the early European-based suitors before Kaizer Chiefs joined the fray. However, given their financial backing, Sundowns left Chiefs and others floundering in their slipstream. Stan Matthews, the SuperSport United supremo, said the club was sad to lose Mokoena, but with the switch to their cross-town rivals, he has earned himself a big move to a great club. The 25-year-old Mokoena was elated to join Sundowns where he will share the midfield space with talents like Andile Jali, Rivaldo Coetzee, Neo Maema, Themba Zwane, newcomer Bradley Ralani and his Bafana Bafana partner Mothobi Mvala. “As a student (of the game) you always want to learn,” said Mokoena. “I want to improve because all I hear in the environment here is that the coaches here always want you to get better. “It is something I want, and that is what I need for my career. There is so much quality here, and they signed because they know I am quality.
“I will do extra work to perfect my craft, and then I can see the results coming. It will mean more goals, more assists. I hope to add value and will fight for my place. I am not here to play (the fool).” Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena said ‘Tebza’ Mokoena shines as a defensive linkman or an attacking midfielder. “Tebza represents possibly the new breed of South African footballers that are being produced. His professionalism, his conduct, his personality allows us to look for greater benefits,” said Mokwena. “It is not just from a footballing perspective, but from a human perspective as well. “We all know how much work he does in giving back to the community. He serves his community and across the board to help and support. From that perspective, we were happy to welcome him into the team.
SPORT MAG VOL.4 | P12 | FEBRUARY/MARCH ‘22
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“What is very surprising is that a lot of people think that Teboho is recruited mainly from a defensive perspective, to try to improve the team on that front. "A closer look at Teboho’s profile seems to suggest that offensively as a central midfielder, there is a greater contribution to make to the team through the quality that he possesses.”
BELOW: “As a student of the game I always want to learn,” Mokoena said.
