Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena was forced to clarify his comments after they generated heat following a perception that he may have criticised Mamelodi Sundowns fans.
Mokoena spoke to the media on Sunday ahead of Bafana Bafana’s match against South Sudan on Tuesday and he was asked about how it felt to score twice against Congo at a sold-out Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in October.
“I just want to see myself in the field whether I’m playing centre-back, whether I play right-back, six, eight, 10,” said Mokoena, who had seen his opportunities limited at Sundowns, heading into the match.
“Scoring goals it’s not really a priority for me. The priority for me is to make the team play well, we defend well, our transition is good, the rest of defence is good. Scoring is cherry on top, but I love scoring, and I love scoring beauties.”
What exactly did Mokoena say?
“I did enjoy it. It was fully packed. I don’t play a lot of games in the full stadium, so I had to enjoy it. I would love to score those goals at club level.”
It is that last comment that drew the ire of Sundowns fans who felt it was a thinly veiled dig at them for not packing match venues whenever the Brazilians play.
Mokoena had to even come out to try and explain what he meant, further dividing opinion among fans.
“Don’t lie brother. The question was …What was my feeling after scoring in a full packed stadium? we must stop doing interviews with you guys suka,” Mokoena responded to a journalist, insinuating that he may have been misquoted.
Sundowns midfielder divided opinion
It is believed Mokoena was referring to recent matches that Bafana Bafana have played with few supporters in the stands before the last two that witnessed sold-out stadiums, starting with the World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein in June before the 5-0 thrashing of Congo in Gqeberha last month.
However, a clip of the midfielder saying the exact words and following it up with a laugh made the situation even worse and it seems he will now need to do more to appease the Sundowns fans.
The Brazilians are one of the most supported teams in South Africa but still lag behind their rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs when it comes to match attendance.
