Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena has explained how he and Sphephelo Sithole turned their midfield pairing struggles into strengths at the national team.
The duo formed a formidable partnership, delivering outstanding performances at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast. Their contributions were instrumental in South Africa’s bronze medal finish.
Mokoena and Sithole were ever-present in Hugo Broos’ squad, starting in all seven matches of the continental showpiece. Their impressive displays continued post-tournament.
The Mamelodi Sundowns man admitted that their early days as a partnership were rocky. But forging a bond beyond the football field translated into a significant improvement in their on-field chemistry.
MOKOENA ON HOW HE AND SPHEPHELO SITHOLE TRANSFORMED THEIR MIDFIELD PAIRING AT BAFANA
“I’ve played most of the games with Sithole,” said Mokoena in Cape Town. “I think when we were starting, we were struggling a bit, and he and I were on the national team.
“But we started to build the bond off-the-field. I think that’s when we started to enjoy being together.”
When asked about who he preferred to play alongside among the various midfielders he’s partnered with, Mokoena insisted that he had no specific preference.
The SuperSport United academy graduate added that he also enjoys playing alongside his Sundowns teammate, Bathusi Aubaas, as well as Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha and IFK Värnamo’s Luke Le Roux.
MOKOENA ON PLAYING WITH MBATHA, AUBAAS & LE ROUX
“And also with other guys, Thalente, Aubaas and Luke, we’ve been together,” he added.“I also played with Luke at SuperSport. We have the chemistry from the club level.So, there’s no preference.”
A cruel twist of fate has kept Sithole out of action since September when he picked up an injury in the Bafana thrilling 3-2 win against South Sudan.
Broos has entrusted the midfield reins to Mokoena and Aubaas, who have stepped up admirably in Sithole’s absence in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
RELATED STORY: Broos explains Teboho Mokoena’s impact on Bafana Bafana
