Teboho Mokoena carries weight of Motsepe promise into Champions League final
- Martin T
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
When Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena steps onto the turf of the June 30 Stadium this Sunday at 7 PM (CAT), he'll be carrying more than just the hopes of his team; he'll be shouldering the weight of a promise made to club chairman Tlhopie Motsepe.
After a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final in Pretoria, Mokoena is determined to deliver the continental crown he vowed to win upon joining the Masandawana juggernaut in January 2022.
Shortly after joining Sundowns in 2022, he made a big commitment. Now, two years later, he is poised to play a vital role as the Brazilians face Pyramids FC in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.
With the final in the balance, Mokoena believes Sundowns are on the cusp of something extraordinary and insists they cannot let this golden opportunity slip away.
"I am sure we will give our best and lift the trophy on Sunday," Mokoena confidently told Sundowns TV. He acknowledged that they didn’t perform to their full potential in the first leg. "I don’t think Pyramids played against the Sundowns we knew last Saturday. I think we were nervous. In the second-half, we came back better, but in the last minute, we lost our focus and conceded a goal."
The 27-year-old midfielder went on to recall the personal commitment he made when he joined the club three years ago.
"Winning the title would mean a lot to me because when I signed in January 2022, I made a promise to the club president that we would win the CAF Champions League title. I think the time has come for us to win the Champions League for the club president and our fans. I think everyone deserves the trophy because they always talk about it," he added.
The Tshwane giants are vying for their second Champions League title, having previously won it in 2016. This marks their third appearance in the Champions League final, following their participation in 2001.
