Is European dream dead? Teboho Mokoena on why he opted for Sundowns new deal

Published on by Nkosiyabuya Sithole

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena has shed light on why he penned the club’s new deal rather than pursuing his dream to go play in Europe.

It is understood the 27-year-old hard man had offers presented by his camp at Masandawana’s table who believed that the proposals did not align with the player's market value.

The former SuperSport United product attracted significant attention following his impressive performances at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year.

Al Ahly was also among the clubs that expressed interest in securing the services of the Bethlehem-born star. However, the Tshwane giants were said to have rejected the offer.

During a press conference held by the club on Monday afternoon, Mokoena reaffirmed that his ambition to transition to Europe remains intact.

Is European dream dead? Teboho Mokoena on why he opted for Sundowns new deal
Teboho Mokoena – Photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

He emphasised that the project at Sundowns, which includes participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, African Football League, and CAF Champions League, influenced his decision to extend his contract.

MOKOENA ON WHY HE OPTED FOR SUNDOWNS NEW DEAL RATHER THAN EUROPE

“The dream is still alive,” Mokoena told the media.

“We still have [FIFA] Club World Cup, so yeah we’ll see next year again. For me, I’m happy to be at the club,” he added. 

“The reason I signed a contract [extension] is because I know the project of the club, and I wanted to be part of the project.

“So, it was an easy decision for me to stay here because we still have Club World Cup, we still have CAF, we still have AFL and I still have Bafana Bafana on the side, so yeah.”

Mokoena’s new deal will keep him at the club until 2029.

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Nkosiyabuya Sithole

Nkosiyabuya Sithole, a young and rising sports journalist based in Durban, South Africa, harbors a deep passion for football. Nevertheless, he aspires to become a well-rounded journalist, adept in various areas of the field.

Nkosi's career began in 2020, working as a home-based writer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has since written for various websites, including Briefly News, FiND-iT News, and The South African. Attending live sporting events is a particular pleasure for him, as they provide opportunities for interaction with sports personalities.

Outside of the office, he's a God-fearing and affable young man.