Following Sundowns’ triumph in the MTN8 final over Orlando Pirates, Mokoena revealed that he has been dealing with the emotional struggles.
The Bethlehem-born star dedicated his goal to his late grandfather and his brother who remains in hospital.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STAR TEBOHO MOKOENA ADMITS TO EMOTIONAL TURMOIL
“It’s been tough two weeks for me, I lost my grandfather two weeks ago,” Mokoena told SuperSport TV after the game.
“I almost lost my brother who got stabbed the day before we played Guinea. They stabbed him multiple times, it’s been tough, but I’d like to dedicate this game to him, he is in the hospital bed. I hope justice will be served.”
The 29-year-old admitted that he has struggled emotionally despite continuing to represent his country on the pitch.
“I’m happy that we but inside I’m not really okay because it’s sad what happened to my family and you always have to show up doesn’t matter how you’re feeling.”
“I dedicate this game to him, my brother and I hope he recovers.”
KEY PLAYER FOR THE AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
Mokoena has established himself as a key figure in the Sundowns midfield since joining the club from SuperSport United in January 2022. He has marked 110 appearances, scoring 14 goals and providing 9 assists across all competitions.
Operating as a deep-lying midfielder, Mokoena plays a crucial role in controlling the tempo, winning possession and transitioning the team from defence to attack.
During the 2022/23 season, Mokoena made 27 league appearances, scoring one goal and providing two assists. He improved his attacking output in the 2023/24 campaign, registering three goals and three assists in 18 league matches. He remained a regular in the starting lineup during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, adding a combined five league goals and three assists.
Mokoena’s contributions have also helped Sundowns enjoy considerable success. He has won three Premier Soccer League titles (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24), one Nedbank Cup (2022) and the inaugural African Football League title in 2023. His outstanding performances during the 2022/23 season also earned him the PSL Footballer of the Season award.
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