Broos celebrates Teboho Mokoena's 50th Cap as Bafana Bafana defeat Zambia

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos paid tribute to Teboho Mokoena after the midfielder earned his 50th cap during a comfortable 3-1 win against Zambia in an international friendly match played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Saturday.

“I congratulate him, certainly. It is not everyone who earns 50 caps, and now he will even have more (in the future). Teboho Mokoena has become one of the most important South African national team players,” Broos said.

Goals from Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, and Sphephelo Sithole were enough to give the South African senior men’s national team a victory.

Sipho Mbule provided assists for two of the goals, and the visitors eventually found a late consolation strike through Sabobo Banda to make the final score a lot more respectable.

Mokoena made his Bafana Bafana debut against Botswana in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier played at the Francistown Stadium on July 15, 2017.

Mokoena’s first run in national team colours came under then Bafana Bafana mentor Stuart Baxter, with the team winning 2-0 away from home. He was 20 at the time and on the books of SuperSport United, having come through Matsatsantsa’s youth academy.

Born in Bohlokong, Bethlehem, in the Free State, the midfielder reached 50 caps on Saturday after coach Hugo Broos started him against Zambia in the international friendly match.

Mokoena joins the likes of Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane, and Percy Tau, who are among the players who achieved the half-century feat in recent times.