Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena has publicly thanked former Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter for the pivotal role he played in shaping his international career.
Mokoena, a product of the SuperSport United academy, made his senior national team debut under Baxter’s guidance in March 2018. Since then, he has established himself as a key player for Bafana Bafana, earning 34 caps to date.
The 27-year-old revealed that Baxter’s belief in his abilities not only provided him with his first national team opportunity but also almost led to a club move.
“Actually, he was the first person who gave me the call-up and the debut at Bafana, so I was very emotional,” Mokoena said. “I remember the day he left the team; I was very emotional. I didn’t cry, but I was emotional.”
Mokoena’s gratitude to Baxter highlights the impact that a coach can have on a player’s career.
“He [Baxter] changed my life because, after that game, I managed to be a regular at SuperSport United. I wasn’t a regular, but after that game, I think it was Coach Eric or Coach Kaitano started to give me more games.
He [Baxter] changed my life, and I will forever be grateful. The last time I spoke with him, it’s been a while, but we did speak he wanted to sign me where he was.“Yeah, I’m forever grateful for the opportunity and the love he gave me.”
South Africa’s clash with South Sudan at DHL Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, 19 November 2024 provides Broos with a chance to cap off their qualifiers in style, building momentum for the tournament in Morocco next year.