Teboho Mokoena says he was extremely tired after their Afcon draw against Tunisia but the Bafana Bafana midfield workhorse is ready to die for the team.
Dubbed a midfield workhorse, Mokoena remains one of the key Bafana players at the ongoing Afcon tournament in Ivory Coast and says they had to work hard to reach the Round of 16.
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The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, Mokoena reflected on their hard-fought goalless draw versus Tunisia while also sharing his promise to the Bafana fans.
As one of the few players who played at the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea and the 2020 Olympics in Japan, Mokoena talks about his first senior Afcon experience with Bafana – he vows to die for the national team.
TIRED MIDFIELD WORKHORSE READY TO DIE FOR BAFANA AT AFCON
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Under Coach Hugo Broos, Mokoena is a vital cog in the heart of the midfield and his work rate has earned him praise from the fans – he wants to die for the 1996 African champions.
Per the SABC, the Welkom-born midfield workhorse also credited his Bafana teammates for their hard work and unity as they are through to the Last 16 of the Afcon showpiece.
Judging his statistics at Afcon hosted by the West African nation, the midfield workhorse has played a total of 270 minutes of football so far.
“Today, even when I woke up in the morning, I woke up so tired, but we had to fight for this game so that we can go to the next round,” said a tired Bafana midfield workhorse, Mokoena.
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“So I think everyone, from the bench and those who started the game, we put in a shift and I think we deserve to be where we are now.”
Together with Sundowns teammates such as skipper Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane, and Percy Tau who have previous Afcon experience – Mokoena will be key against Morocco next week.
BAFANA WORKHORSE ON CONTINENTAL EXPERIENCE
Moreover, the Bafana workhorse and former SuperSport United midfield powerhouse admits the continental showpiece is growing but it’s not easy.
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“These competitions are very tough, and I have a beautiful record – U20, we lost in the semi-finals, at the U23 AFCON we lost in the semi-finals again, and now we are out of the group [at senior AFCON],” added the midfield workhorse.
“So, it’s a good record for me also, for my book, so I’m very impressed because I’ve been here before, and nothing has changed. I think the level of football in Africa has grown.”
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