Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena has extended gratitude to Stuart Baxter for changing his life by giving him his first national team call-up.
The Mamelodi Sundowns man came through SuperSport United’s academy and made his Premier Soccer League debut at the Tshwane outfit. He also played for South Africa’s U20 & U23 junior national teams.
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The 27-year-old made his South Africa senior national team debut in March 2018 under the leadership of the former Kaizer Chiefs coach. Since then, Mokoena has played 34 times for the national team, and could earn his 35th cap if he plays against South Sudan in the dead rubber AFCON qualifier.
The Matsatsantsa youth development player was thankful to his former coach, Baxter, for changing his football career and giving him the opportunity at the national team. He also mentioned that Baxter wanted to sign him at one stage.
“Actually, he was the first person who gave me the call-up and the debut at Bafana, so I was very emotional,” Mokoena told the media.
“I remember the day he left the team; I was very emotional I didn’t cry, but I was emotional.
“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.
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“Yeah, I’m forever grateful for the opportunity and the love he gave me.”
