Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has provided an update on the injury of the midfielder Teboho Mokoena.
The former SuperSport United star sustained an injury during the Sundowns’ 2-2 draw against Moroka Swallows at Dobsonville Stadium in the DStv Premiership.
Mokoena scored the first goal of the match for Masandawana against Swallows after unleashing a thunderbolt that rocketed behind goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi on the stroke of half-time.
However, the highly-rated midfielder looked to have strained his muscle after scoring the goal, and he was substituted in the first half by Sipho Mbule.
In the current campaign, Mokoena has been instrumental for the Brazilians as they clinched the inaugural African Football League [AFL] trophy early in the season. The 27-year-old has formed a formidable partnership in the middle of the park with the Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende.
He has played in 35 games across all competitions for Mamelodi Sundowns, scoring five goals while providing three assists.
In addition, Mokoena was also key for Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana as they won a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON held in Ivory Coast two months ago.
WHAT’S THE UPDATE ON TEBOHO MOKOENA’S INJURY?
With Sundowns preparing for a crucial CAF Champions League first-leg semi-final clash against Tunisian giants Esperance, Mokwena says the injury is not as serious as it looked.
“He just felt a small tweak, and I’m very proud of him. I always say to them, once you feel something small, don’t take risks,” Mokwena said.
“He scored a good goal; he could have celebrated and continued to play because the feel-good hormones take over the pain. But he was professional to say, I’ve got something and I’m very proud of him for that.”
Mokoena has proven to be one of the most consistent players on the African continent. He won the Footballer of The Season accolade at the 2023 PSL awards. He will be looking to pass a late fitness test and face Esperance on Saturday, April 20th. Kickoff for that match is at 21:00.
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