Teboho Mokoena has spoken candidly about enduring one of the most challenging chapters of his football career, reflecting on the emotional weight of the yellow card saga that almost derailed Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup dream.
South Africa secured their ticket to next year’s tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico with a resounding 3-0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela on Tuesday night. But behind the celebrations lies a turbulent journey that tested both the team’s resilience and Mokoena’s mental strength.
The Yellow Card Controversy
Earlier in the qualifying campaign, Bafana Bafana were docked three points and three goals after Mokoena was fielded despite being ineligible due to accumulated yellow cards in the match against Lesotho. The ruling temporarily put the team’s qualification hopes at risk and sparked public outrage.
For months, Mokoena carried the weight of that incident.
Teboho Mokoena Breaking His Silence
Speaking after the match, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder broke his silence in a heartfelt interview with Arthur Mokate.
“I’m very happy. It was an emotional day, I could feel that we were going to qualify,” he said.
“We must give credit to the coach. He’s been so calm the whole week after we drew against Zimbabwe. And honestly, it’s been the toughest six months of my career.”
Mokoena also revealed the personal toll of the backlash that followed, as he and his family faced criticism from sections of the football community.
“The backlash myself and my family received has been very hard. People were blaming me for the yellow cards and I couldn’t speak about it. I was going through a lot I was not okay.”
Rising Above the Storm
With qualification now secured, Mokoena can finally breathe again but his emotional admission offers a rare glimpse into the human side of the game, where off-field pressure can weigh as heavily as anything that happens on the pitch.
For Bafana Bafana, the controversy is now part of their history. For Mokoena, it’s a personal battle overcome one that makes the road to the World Cup all the more meaningful.
Related article: Bafana Bafana Survived the Mokoena Saga — But What About the Next Time?
