Mokoena played an intergral role as Sundowns beat Ulsan.
Teboho Mokoena took to Instagram to celebrate after inspiring Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-0 win over Ulsan.
Mokoena showed again why he’s known in South Africa as a midfield maestro by producing a dominant display on his FIFA Club World Cup debut.
After the game, Mokoena shared two photos of himself in action, plus another showing him celebrating post-game, alongside a caption of two yellow heart emojis.
Iqraam Rayners named Player of the Match but Mokoena ran the show
From ball recoveries to key passes and relentless pressing, Mokoena dominated several phases of play. The data paints a picture of a player who didn’t just participate—he orchestrated. His work rate and tactical intelligence were unmatched, making him the engine behind Sundowns’ success.
While Iqraam Rayners grabbed the headlines with the match-winning goal and the Player of the Match accolade, the stats tell a deeper story — one that puts Mokoena at the heart of the action.
Yes, goals win games, and Rayners’ strike was crucial. But football is more than just the final touch. It’s about the grind, the graft, and the glue that holds the team together. Mokoena was that glue.
STEVE KOMPHELA QOUTE ON STATS
As Steve Komphela once quipped, “Statistics are like a bikini; what they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.” And in this case, the stats suggest Mokoena deserved more than just a pat on the back—he deserved the spotlight.
With the rise of player data analysis, FIFA spotlighted 15 key aspects of the game, recognizing top performers in each category. Tebogo Mokoena’s stats stood out across the board, revealing him as the match’s unsung hero—one whose impact arguably merited the Player of the Match award.
Tebogo Mokoena – Stats Breakdown
Attempts at Goal: 4 out of 14 – 28.57% of the team’s total
Completed Line Breaks: 26 out of 136 – 19.12% of the team’s total
Attempted Line Breaks: 34 out of 176 – 19.32% of the team’s total
Passes: 97 out of 742 – 13.07% of the team’s total
NEXT MATCH AND WHERE TO WATCH
Mamelodi Sundowns next game of Group F at the FIFA Club World Cup is against Borussia Dortmund in Cincinnati on Saturday and Mokoena is expected to continue with his exploits.
Dortmund are currently rated as strong favourites for that match — register with Betway and check out the latest odds — but Sundowns will have gained plenty of confidence from their opening fixture.
