Latest news with #TebohoMokoena
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns aim to break their Asian jinx against Ulsan at the FIFA Club World Cup
Teboho Mokoena WITH his international experience representing Bafana Bafana Mamelodi Sundowns' star midfielder Teboho Mokoena will be a key player at the FIFA Club World Cup in Florida, USA. | AFP On Wednesday, Mamelodi Sundowns will embark on their much-anticipated FIFA Club World Cup journey, taking on South Korean heavyweights Ulsan Hyundai at the Exploria Stadium in Florida. As a dominant force in African football, Sundowns carry high hopes for this prestigious tournament. Their impressive track record in recent years displayed not only their skill on the ball but also the class in their squad. With a blend of experienced players and promising talent, the team is well-equipped to cope with the Asian challenge. This clash (starting Tuesday, 6pm, local USA time) marks Sundowns' second appearance at the global showcase. In 2016, they suffered first-round defeats against Kashima Antlers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in Japan. This year, however, Sundowns are determined to turn the tide in their favour. Having recently clinched their eighth successive Betway Premiership title, Sundowns head into the tournament with a mix of motivation and urgency. Following a heartbreak in the CAF Champions League final against Pyramids, the team is eager to make a strong impression and shake off the disappointment. Leading the charge for Sundowns will be Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro, who has established himself as the standout player of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), clinching the Golden Boot with 16 goals and providing 13 assists last season. His previous European experience makes him a key player to watch; a stellar performance could see him attract attention from larger clubs looking to secure top talent. Alongside Ribeiro is the versatile Teboho Mokoena, whose leadership in midfield is invaluable to Sundowns' success. Mokoena brings not only a calming presence but also a tactical intelligence that allows him to dictate the pace of the game. His aptitude for set pieces has been proven time and again, making him another player who will be in the scouts' sights throughout the tournament. Both players have demonstrated exceptional form and could prove to be instrumental in breaking down Ulsan's defence. Sundowns' ability to transition quickly from defence to attack positions them as a potent threat that the Korean side must prepare for. Ulsan HD, also eager to make their mark, face Sundowns with their ambitions. After a mixed domestic run, the pressure is on the South Korean giants to perform on the global stage, especially since their last appearance in the Club World Cup back in the 2020-21 season culminated in a disappointing outing. They have struggled lately and are without a clean sheet in their last four games, managing one in seven matches. This statistic may play an essential role in determining the eventual outcome. The match-up marks a long-awaited return to the global stage after they participated in the Club World Cup in the 2020-21 season when they were winless. Now, Ulsan will look to shake off a series of mixed domestic results, and the pressure is on to rediscover their winning form. It will be the first encounter between the two teams. Ulsan will be looking to make history against African opposition, while Sundowns are eager to rewrite their narrative from past encounters against Asian teams. Given the closely matched nature of both squads, the outcome could very well hinge upon moments of individual brilliance, with Sundowns hoping to regain their winning momentum.
The South African
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Sundowns star gives back to his former school's boys
Mamelodi Sundowns superstar Teboho Mokoena is hosting his annual U16 schools football tournament in his hometown of Bethlehem in the Free State. While Sundowns are leaving for the FIFA Club World Cup soon, the 28-year-old Mokoena is spending his final weekend in Mzansi with his community. The Bafana Bafana star first visited his former school to donate some brand-new Puma soccer boots to the entire team. Rulani sends honest message to Orlando Pirates boss Ntsu Secondary School's under-16 football team receives soccer boots from the Teboho Mokoena Foundation. Image: @tebzamokoena28/Instagram Leaked: New Sundowns kit for the FIFA Club World Cup In the meantime, Mokoena and his Sundowns teammates are leaving on Sunday for the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. Kabo Yellow have been drawn in Group F alongside South Korea's Ulsan HD FC, German giants Borussia Dortmund, and Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense. Wednesday, 18 June: Ulsan vs Sundowns at 00:00 from the Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, USA. Saturday, 21 June: Sundowns vs Dortmund at 18:00 from the QTL Stadium, Cincinnati, USA. Wednesday, 25 June: Sundowns vs Fluminese at 21:00 from the Hard Rock Stadium, Florida, USA. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SAFA may dodge sanctions despite Bafana Bafana's player suspension oversight
Teboho Mokoena's selection controversy haunts Bafana Bafana South Africa may escape sanction over the fielding of the suspended Teboho Mokoena as Lesotho missed the 24-hour deadline to report the matter to the match commissioner or CAF. | BackpagePix In a significant development that arose this week after all the airtime arising from their engagement with the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, the South African Football Association (SAFA) is on the verge of evading sanctions for a serious oversight. At the heart of the discussions was an incident involving Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena, whose suspension oversight could lead to severe repercussions for the association and their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying aspirations. However, indications suggest that SAFA is likely to sidestep any penalties. This came after the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was fielded in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho even though he was suspended. He picked up two yellow cards in previous qualifiers against Benin and Zimbabwe and was not eligible to play against Lesotho. Bafana, who defeated Lesotho 2-0 in that game, lead Group C with a five-point gap over second-placed rivals Rwanda and Benin. The other group teams are Nigeria (seven points), Lesotho (six) and Zimbabwe (four). CAF's secretariat plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of its tournaments, including the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying. They ensure match officials are well-informed about suspended players in meetings with match and team officials before the start of matches. This structured approach allows designated match commissioners and referees to be aware of any players who are barred from participating, thus upholding fairness in competition. In the case of the SA versus Lesotho match, this was not done, and it was not known that Mokoena had incurred an automatic suspension. Members of parliament deplored this disturbing display of administrative oversight and Bafana's management was put through the wringer for failing to execute basic organisational duties. This significant error went unnoticed by both the team and opponents, Lesotho. Two days after this match, the Nigerian Football Federation reportedly alerted Lesotho officials to this critical oversight. Lesotho and Nigeria have not formally announced protests to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA regarding this contentious match. Despite the absence of an official filing, both nations are holding onto a flicker of hope that FIFA might intervene against the South Africans, sparking a potential firestorm in regional football politics. The window for protest submission has closed, as protests filed beyond the stipulated time frame are unlikely to be upheld, however, optimism lingers in both nations. The unresolved issues surrounding recent matches have left stakeholders in Lesotho and Nigeria questioning the integrity of competition and fairness within the African football sphere. A Nigerian-based football website has raised the Mokoena saga with monotonous regularity in the hope that CAF and FIFA will be strung into action. This has ignited fervent discussions in the football community across Africa. If CAF or FIFA intervened, it would affect the log positions of Nigeria, Lesotho, and South Africa. With only four rounds left in the qualifying matches, the possibility of FIFA's intervention has raised eyebrows as teams vie for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup. Changes in Nigeria and Lesotho's positions could emerge if SAFA is punished and this potential turn of events could drastically alter the landscape of the Group C World Cup qualifying rounds. Historically, FIFA has not shied away from taking stringent measures against teams that breach its rules, even in cases where there has not been an official complaint or protest lodged.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Fuming MPs put SAFA through the wringer over Teboho Mokoena yellow card gaffe
Teboho Mokoena celebrates after scoring a goal Teboho Mokoena celebrates after scoring a goal during Bafana Bafana's Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 football match against Morocco. Photo: Sia Kambou/AFP Prominent Pietermaritzburg lawyer and sports administrator Poobalan 'Poobie' Govindasamy has stepped into the fray to rescue the South African Football Association (Safa) as it faced relentless criticism from the parliamentary sports portfolio committee. Govindasamy, SAFA's head of legal, was part of the national football delegation that endured a barrage of questions from fuming members on Wednesday. Their concerns were about governance, operations, and overall performance in promoting the sport on both local and international stages. However, a matter that had members seething with anger was the shocking yellow card bungle. As a result, the increasingly popular national team, Bafana Bafana, found itself at the centre of controversy. A few months ago, star midfielder Teboho Mokoena, featured in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, despite being suspended due to accumulating yellow cards. The issue sparked a wave of anger among MPs who questioned the team's management competency in handling player eligibility and disciplinary protocols. This gaff has South Africa standing on the brink of losing three crucial points in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers. This unprecedented bungle could thwart their aspirations for qualification outside of a World Cup hosted on home soil, a feat they last achieved back in 2002. MPs David Kgabo and Athol Trollip demanded clarity on why Safa has not held the responsible parties accountable for their actions and demanded the names of the people responsible. Govindasamy said it was the duty of the team manager, Vincent Tseka, to provide the information to the team ahead of the match. 'I understand the position of Teboho Mokoena's case. The match commissioner from Mauritius, appointed by FIFA and CAF, had not received a suspension letter notifying of Mokoena's situation. It was also not sent to SAFA and the match commissioner (the question of the two yellow cards),' he said. 'He played innocently, and it was only subsequently that the information came to light.' After MPs called for disciplinary steps against Tseka, Govindasamy said SAFA was at a standstill regarding potential action against Tseka, as it awaits crucial information from FIFA. Govindasamy explained the association cannot take any decisive steps until FIFA concludes its investigation into the matter. Govindasamy explained that the ongoing inquiry is a complex one, deeply tied to procedural oversights. 'With due respect, the matter is still under investigation (by FIFA),' Govindasamy replied. 'We've not received the final word on it. "When FIFA makes the decision, only then will Safa's investigation be completed. The investigation is currently incomplete. 'I think the problem was that FIFA, CAF and the match commissioner were not informed of the yellow cards. When you go to the match commissioner's meeting (before the start of a match), that's when you're alerted to this. 'Even Safa was not officially alerted of Mokoena's two yellow cards. It came up after the match.' SAFA president Danny Jordaan also stepped into the fray and promised that SAFA will take action after FIFA decides the matter. 'There will be accountability, but we must wait for all the reports to come in. 'If you act against any staff member, they have the right to take up the matter (in court). Our position is clear: we will defend the position on the side of what is right, but unfortunately, we cannot do that at this stage. 'We can plead that you give us some space so we can deal with the matter,' said Jordaan.
The Herald
04-06-2025
- General
- The Herald
Jordaan promises MPs ‘accountability' as Tseka named as culprit for Bafana yellow card bungle
Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka was named by fuming MPs in parliament's sports portfolio committee as the official responsible for missing that Teboho Mokoena was suspended in SA's 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. The MPs demanded to know why the SA Football Association (Safa), reporting to the committee on Tuesday, has not taken action against Tseka . Mokoena played in the 2-0 win over Lesotho in Polokwane in March as Bafana's team management missed the midfielder having accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches, meaning he should have been suspended. The huge gaff seems certain to result in Group C leaders SA losing three points, which will endanger their chances of a first World Cup qualification other than as hosts since 2002. However, Tseka received a fair degree of cover from Safa head of legal Poobalan Govindasamy and president Danny Jordaan, who told MPs they were waiting for Fifa's final decision concluding their internal investigation.
