Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena has found himself at the center of a media storm following comments he made about playing in full stadiums. The backlash has led the Mamelodi Sundowns star to vow never to speak to the media again, citing misrepresentation of his statements.
The Incident
The controversy began after a video clip of Mokoena went viral on social media. In it, he explained his enthusiastic celebrations following two stunning goals during Bafana’s 5-0 thrashing of Congo in October’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Gqeberha. Mokoena’s statement, “I don’t play a lot of games in a full stadium, so I had to enjoy it,” was perceived by many as a jab at Sundowns’ often sparsely attended matches, despite the team’s success.
The comment sparked debate, with rival fans and even some Sundowns supporters criticizing Mokoena, accusing him of disrespecting his club.
Mokoena Responds
In response to the backlash, Mokoena took to social media to clarify his comments. He explained that his statement was about Bafana Bafana’s matches, not Sundowns. “The question was: What was my feeling after scoring in a packed stadium? I answered that based on Bafana, not club-related,” he wrote in a private message later shared publicly.
He noted that Bafana had recently played in near-empty venues, including Orlando Stadium and Moses Mabhida, and contrasted this with packed crowds in Gqeberha and Bloemfontein.
Divided Reactions
Fans on social media were split. Some defended Mokoena, arguing his comments were taken out of context and aimed at highlighting Bafana’s struggle to attract crowds. One user wrote, “Mokoena was just being honest. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Others, however, were less forgiving, accusing him of being disrespectful. “Teboho Mokoena is so disrespectful. I’m done with him,” said one fan.
“No More Interviews”
Amid the fallout, Mokoena declared his intention to avoid media interactions entirely. He criticized journalists for allegedly twisting his words and expressed frustration with the media’s role in fueling the controversy.
“I won’t do interviews anymore,” he said. “The media is trying by all means to sabotage [me].”
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy, Mokoena remains a key figure for both club and country. His performances, such as his decisive goals in Bafana’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON, have earned him widespread praise. However, the incident highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating public scrutiny, especially in the age of viral social media moments.
As Mokoena steps back from the media spotlight, his focus will likely remain on his on-field contributions, leaving his fans to hope that his talent will ultimately outshine the noise.
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