Teboho Mokoena’s former coach at youth level, Pitso Mokoena, has disclosed what he told the Mamelodi Sundowns star before his Bafana Bafana‘s 50th cap.
The 28-year-old made his 50th cap for South Africa in the 3-1 win over Zambia in an international friendly at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, 15 November 2025.
Mokoena’s journey with Bafana began in July 2017, under the leadership of coach Stuart Baxter. He was only 20 when he made his debut in a CHAN qualifier, helping South Africa secure a 2-0 away victory over Botswana.
After this milestone, coach Hugo Broos stated that the talented midfielder has become one of the most important players in the South African national team.
PITSO MOKOENA ON TEBOHO MOKOENA’S MILESTONE AT BAFANA BAFANA
Pitso Mokoena expressed his delight at having witnessed the Masandawana midfielder reach 50 caps for Bafana, and urged him to stay humble and continue working hard to achieve more in his football career.
He went on to divulge that his only concern is for Teboho Mokoena to stay injury-free, even though it is tricky with Sundowns’ busy schedule.
“Let’s be honest, I’m so happy for the boy. But it shows that time is flying. Not so long ago, Teboho was just 16 years old. All of a sudden, he is now on 50 caps for Bafana Bafana,” Pitso Mokoena told FARPost.
“We spoke on Friday prior to their game [a day before the Bafana game against Zambia]. I wasn’t even aware that he was going to play his 50th cap; we only spoke about two things: keep on working hard and staying humble.
“The concern was that he needs to stay injury-free because there are national team games plus the Sundowns’ busy schedule. But if he can stay injury-free, for sure, the boy will go far.”
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