Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana has opened up on the challenges he faced following his initial move to Tunisia, crediting his current coach at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hazem, Jalel Kadri, for helping him regain his form and earn a recall to the national squad.
Mokwana, who has returned to the Bafana Bafana fold, admitted that his stint at Tunisian giants Esperance did not go according to plan, leading to a temporary dip in confidence.
The former Sekhukhune United star confessed that finding his footing was tough. “It wasn’t easy at first. As we all know, when I got to Esperance, things didn’t go as I expected,” Mokwana told the media.
This period was clearly challenging, as he admitted to losing hope of returning to the national team. “I think I did lose some hope at some point,” he revealed.
ELIAS MOKWANA ON THE TURNING POINT
The turning point, according to the pacey winger, came with his loan move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hazem. This change of scenery, coupled with his new coach’s support, ignited his career resurgence.
“But when I made the move to Al-Hazem, I think I started to enjoy myself a little bit better, training well, and the coach also was encouraging me each and every day, and he also believed in me. That’s why, I guess, I’m starting to pick up my form again,” Mokwana explained.
He singled out his coach’s personal commitment as crucial to his recovery, highlighting the extra work they put in together. “… with my coach, I think I had hope. He gave me hope. He, he was working with me with extra sessions, and he always believed in me, and he told me that I’ll get back into the team.”
Mokwana’s renewed consistency in the Saudi Pro League did not go unnoticed by Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who rewarded him with an AFCON call-up.
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