In Stellenbosch, South Africa, Teboho Mokoena participated in the South Africa national men’s soccer team media open day at the Lentelus Sportsground on January 8, 2023. However, their Group E opener did not go as planned, as they lost 2-0 to Mali on Tuesday night. Despite this setback, the team cannot dwell on the past as their attention quickly shifts to the upcoming game against Namibia on Sunday.
Namibia, on the other hand, had a successful start to their tournament by defeating Tunisia 1-0, a team that was considered a strong favorite. With this in mind, the second game against Namibia becomes even more crucial as it could determine the outcome of the tight group. Many pundits and the team’s coach, Hugo Broos, have labeled the game as a ‘must-win’ affair. However, midfielder Teboho Mokoena has tried to calm the pressure, stating that it’s not simply about winning at all costs. He believes that the team must at least secure a result against Namibia, even if a victory is preferable.
Currently, Bafana sits at the bottom of the group standings. After the game against Namibia, they will go on to face Tunisia on Wednesday. The African Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2023 has proven to be an interesting competition so far, with Mokoena himself praising the tournament’s facilities, playing surfaces, and accommodation. He expressed satisfaction with the preparations made by the organizers, highlighting the quality of the training pitch in particular.
As a key member in Broos’ team since May 2021, Mokoena played the entire match against Les Aigles and has been an important player for the team.