Television cameras captured Bafana Bafana’s Mokoena in tears moments before kick-off at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with the emotional scene quickly spreading across social media.
After the match, the midfield star explained that the moment was deeply personal.
Mokoena said he felt the presence of his late grandfather, one of the first people to believe in his football dream. Standing on the FIFA World Cup stage while representing South Africa brought back memories of his upbringing in Bethlehem, Free State, as well as the sacrifices made by his family along the way.
A BAFANA BAFANA DREAM YEARS IN THE MAKING
The 28-year-old admitted he was also thinking about his mother and his son. He said he wished his late father and grandfather could have witnessed one of the biggest moments of his career. For Mokoena, the tears were a reflection of the long journey from Bethlehem to football’s biggest stage. And the people who helped shape that path.
“I was completely overwhelmed; I thought of my late grandfather,” he told journalists. “I felt his presence out there. He continued: “I think he would be incredibly proud if he were here today. I know that he always believed in me, even when no one else did,” Mokoena added.
Despite the emotional start, the midfielder quickly regained his composure and delivered another influential display in the heart of South Africa’s midfield. However, he was shown a yellow card during the match. He triggered a suspension for Bafana Bafana’s decisive final Group A encounter after accumulating bookings.
HEROICS BEFORE SUSPENSION
The setback did not stop Mokoena from producing when his country needed him most. In the closing stages, South Africa won a penalty after a handball inside the area, and the Mamelodi Sundowns star calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to rescue a 1-1 draw against Czechia.
His late equaliser kept Bafana Bafana’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive, but Hugo Broos will now have to navigate the must-win clash against South Korea without one of his most influential players in midfield.
