Teboho Mokoena: Player Profile and Biography jumanneomary333@gmail.com, March 12, 2024 Teboho Mokoena is a rising South African soccer star who is currently playing as a midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns. He has been making waves in the soccer world, both domestically and internationally, due to his impressive performances on the pitch. In this article, we will take a closer look at Teboho Mokoena’s player profile and biography, highlighting his early life, club career, international career, playing style, achievements, off the pitch, and future prospects. Teboho Mokoena was born on January 24, 1997, in Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa. He started playing soccer at a young age and quickly showed his talent on the pitch. Mokoena was scouted by SuperSport United’s youth academy and joined the team in 2015. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his debut for the senior team in 2016. Since then, Mokoena has become an integral part of the team and has helped them win several trophies, including the MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup. Mokoena’s talent did not go unnoticed, and he was soon called up to represent South Africa in all youth levels (U17, U20, U23). He also featured for the U23 side during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. In 2022, Mokoena made a big move to Mamelodi Sundowns, where he has continued to impress on the pitch. With his talent and potential, it is no surprise that Mokoena is considered one of the most promising young soccer players in South Africa. Table of Contents Toggle Key TakeawaysEarly Life and CareerBirth and Early YearsEarly Football DevelopmentClub CareerJoining SundownsRise to ProminenceKey PerformancesStatistics and RecordsInternational CareerNational Team DebutImpact on the National TeamPlaying StylePosition and RoleSkills and AttributesAchievementsClub HonorsIndividual AwardsOff the PitchPhilanthropyPersonal Life Key Takeaways Teboho Mokoena is a rising South African soccer star who is currently playing as a midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns. Mokoena has represented South Africa in all youth levels (U17, U20, U23) and featured for the U23 side during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. With his talent and potential, Mokoena is considered one of the most promising young soccer players in South Africa. Early Life and Career Birth and Early Years Teboho Mokoena was born on January 24, 1997, in Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa. He grew up in a family of football enthusiasts, and his father was a football coach. Mokoena’s family played a significant role in his early football career, and they supported him throughout his journey to becoming a professional footballer. Early Football Development Mokoena began playing football at a young age and joined the Harmony Sports Academy in Virginia, Free State, where he honed his skills. He later joined SuperSport United’s youth academy, where he continued to develop his talent. Mokoena made his professional debut for SuperSport United in 2016, at the age of 19. He quickly established himself as a key player in the team, impressing with his technical ability and work ethic. He was also selected to represent South Africa at the 2016 COSAFA Cup, where he helped the team win the tournament. Mokoena’s performances for SuperSport United attracted the attention of other clubs, and in 2022, he joined Mamelodi Sundowns during the January transfer window. He has continued to impress with his performances for the club, helping them win the MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup trophies. Club Career Teboho Mokoena started his professional football career with SuperSport United in 2016. He made his debut for the club in a 1-0 win against Mamelodi Sundowns in August 2016. Mokoena quickly established himself as a regular starter for SuperSport United and played a key role in the team’s success in the following years. Joining Sundowns In January 2022, Mokoena joined Mamelodi Sundowns from SuperSport United. The move was seen as a major coup for Sundowns, who were looking to strengthen their midfield. Mokoena signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club. Rise to Prominence Since joining Sundowns, Mokoena has become one of the most important players in the team. He has been praised for his work rate, passing ability, and versatility. Mokoena has played in a number of different positions for Sundowns, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and right-back. Key Performances Mokoena has been instrumental in Sundowns’ success since joining the club. He played a key role in helping Sundowns win the MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup trophies in the 2022/23 season. Mokoena scored a crucial goal in the final of the Nedbank Cup, helping Sundowns to a 2-0 win over Maritzburg United. Statistics and Records Mokoena’s performances for Sundowns have earned him a number of individual awards and accolades. He was named the Premier Soccer League’s Player of the Month for August 2022 and has been included in the league’s Team of the Month on several occasions. Mokoena’s impressive performances have also attracted interest from clubs in Europe. Club Appearances Goals Assists Pass Accuracy SuperSport United 127 15 13 84.9% Mamelodi Sundowns 44 3 5 87.2% Mokoena’s passing accuracy is particularly impressive, and he has shown an ability to control the midfield and dictate the tempo of the game. With his talent and potential, Mokoena looks set to become one of the top midfielders in South African football. (Recommeded: Luke Junio Baartman: Player Profile and Biography) International Career National Team Debut Teboho Mokoena made his debut for the South Africa national team on 10 October 2017 in a 3-1 victory over Burkina Faso. He was only 20 years old at the time and played the full 90 minutes. Mokoena’s impressive performances for SuperSport United in the PSL caught the attention of then-Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter, who called him up to the national team for the first time. Impact on the National Team Mokoena has become a key player for the South Africa national team since his debut. He is known for his versatility, as he can play in central midfield as well as in a more attacking role. Mokoena’s passing ability and range is one of his strongest attributes, and he has been praised for his vision and creativity on the ball. Mokoena was a standout performer for South Africa in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, where he played a key role in helping the team reach the quarter-finals. He scored a crucial goal in the group stage victory over Ghana, and was named man of the match in the round of 16 victory over Senegal. His performances in the tournament earned him widespread praise and cemented his place as one of the brightest young talents in African football. Overall, Teboho Mokoena has established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in South African football, and his performances for the national team have been a testament to his talent and hard work. Playing Style Teboho Mokoena is a versatile midfielder who can play in various positions. He is primarily deployed as a central midfielder and is known for his ability to control the tempo of the game. Mokoena is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and even as a winger. Position and Role As a central midfielder, Mokoena is tasked with controlling the midfield and distributing the ball to his teammates. He is also responsible for winning back possession and breaking up opposition attacks. Mokoena’s vision and passing ability make him a valuable asset in the final third, where he can create scoring opportunities for his team. Skills and Attributes Mokoena possesses excellent technical skills, including close ball control and dribbling. He is also an accurate passer, with a pass completion rate of over 80%. Mokoena’s physical attributes, such as his pace and stamina, allow him to cover a lot of ground and contribute to both attack and defense. In addition to his technical and physical skills, Mokoena has a strong mentality and leadership qualities. He is known for his work ethic and determination, which make him a valuable member of any team. Overall, Mokoena’s versatility, technical ability, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset to any team he plays for. Achievements Club Honors Teboho Mokoena has had a successful career so far, achieving several club honors with SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns. With SuperSport United, he won the MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup twice. He also helped the team to reach the CAF Confederation Cup final in 2017, where they lost to TP Mazembe. After joining Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2022, Mokoena played a crucial role in helping the team win the African Football League in the 2023/24 season. He also contributed to the team’s success in the CAF Super Cup, where they beat Raja Casablanca to lift the trophy. Individual Awards Mokoena’s impressive performances have earned him several individual awards throughout his career. In 2019, he was named SuperSport United’s Player of the Season. He was also nominated for the PSL Midfielder of the Season award in the same year. In 2021, Mokoena was included in the CAF Team of the Year, alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. He was also nominated for the PSL Footballer of the Season award in the same year. Mokoena’s consistency and hard work on the field have made him one of the most promising young talents in South African football. With several achievements already under his belt, he is sure to continue making an impact in the years to come. Off the Pitch Philanthropy Teboho Mokoena is known for his philanthropic work, and he has been involved in several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people in his community. In 2019, he partnered with a local non-profit organization to donate school shoes to underprivileged children in his hometown of Bethlehem. He has also been involved in campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of education and to promote physical fitness among young people. Personal Life Off the pitch, Teboho Mokoena is a private individual, and not much is known about his personal life. However, it is known that he is a devout Christian, and he often shares Bible verses and inspirational quotes on his social media accounts. He is also a family man, and he has been vocal about the importance of family values in his life. In terms of hobbies, Mokoena enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and he is an avid reader. He has also been known to play video games in his free time. Overall, Teboho Mokoena is a well-rounded individual who is committed to making a positive impact on the world both on and off the pitch. Player Profiles