Midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena has come a long way in his eight years with the South African senior men’s national team, Bafana Bafana.

Few would have noticed when he ran out on his debut against Southern Africa neighbours Botswana in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier played at the Francistown Stadium on 15 July 2017.

Born in Bohlokong, Bethlehem, in the Free State, Mokoena’s first run in national team colours came under then Bafana Bafana mentor Stuart Baxter, with the team winning 2-0 away from home.

He was 20 at the time and in the books of SuperSport United, having come through Matsatsantsa’s youth academy.

“Mrembula” has gone from strength to strength over the years, and he’s now on the brink of reaching a half century of caps. Mokoena reached 50 caps today after coach Hugo Broos started him against Zambia in an international friendly match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha this afternoon. He joined the likes of Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane and Percy Tau, who are among the players who achieved the half a century feat in recent times.

Mokoena has nine international goals and his first came in the 6-0 thumping of Seychelles at the FNB Stadium in October 2018, which was a qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

One of the highlights of his international career is certainly playing a key role in helping Bafana Bafana qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Bafana Bafana’s third-place finish at the last edition of the AFCON will also live long in the memory.

At just 28 years old, Mokoena still has plenty to offer and if his workrate is anything to go by, there’s still more to come.

TEBOHO MOKOENA FACT FILE

Born: 24 January, 1997
Place of Birth: Bohlokong, Bethlehem, Free State
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Position: Central Midfielder
Caps: 50
Goals: 9
National team debut: v Botswana, African Nations Championship [CHAN], 15 July, 2017.
Last game played: v Rwanda, FIFA World Cup Qualifier, 14 October, 2025.

SOURCED FROM SAFA WEBSITE