Former Orlando Pirates star Lebohang Mokoena has revealed what made him temporarily quit football in 2016.
Mokoena joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2009 after a five-year stay with the Buccaneers, where he made a name for himself. Cheese Boy, as he is affectionately known, won several trophies with Masandawana but was not part of the 2016 Caf Champions League winning team.
Speaking to Smash Sports, the former Orlando Pirates winger said he desired to win the Champions League.
“My main aim was winning the Champions League. The reason is that I tasted by reaching the semis and losing to CS Sfaxien at that time. Knowing the history at Pirates, I wanted to add another star,” Mokoena said.
“So if I couldn’t do it at Pirates, here is an opportunity at Sundowns you know. And I shared that with coach Pitso. I was like ‘it’s fine if I don’t play in the league but my ambition is to win the Champions League’. I loved playing against top teams from across the continent,” he said.
Ex-Orlando Pirates star Cheese Boy on not winning CAF
Mokoena said he felt heart-done with he was released by Sundowns.
“When I got released after getting promised to be part of that group that won the CAF Champions League title, that’s when I went home and I was like I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Mokoena said he stopped playing professional football for some time but his peers always encouraged him to return to the field.
“After Senzo Meyiwa’s passing, they dedicated a game for him and I was there and met PSL legends such as Jerry Skhosana, Doctor Khumalo, Stiga(Stanton Fredericks) and all these former players. After that game, they told me that I wasn’t ready to become a legend,” the ex-Orlando Pirates star said.
After a few months of being inactive, Mokoena signed a contract with Ajax Cape Town(now Cape Town Spurs) but only lasted a season. He rejuvenated his career when he joined Moroka Swallows in the first division and a season later, the Dube Birds returned to the Premier Soccer League.
The resurgence of the former Orlando Pirates star surprised many fans who thought the Soweto-born’s football career. He continued to play until he was 38 years old, becoming one of the few local footballers to have a career spanning over 20 years.
How good was Cheese Boy at his peak?
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