BLOEMFONTEIN – The Mamelodi Sundowns anchorman Teboho Mokoena’s steady rise to the summit of African football has earned him yet another feather in his cap — the MEC’s Excellence Award at the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) Annual Sport Awards in Bloemfontein on Saturday 15 August.

Ntombizanele Sifuba – Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation – presented the Bethlehem-born midfield maestro with the prestigious accolade, singling out his heroics in continental club competition and his unwavering service to Bafana Bafana.

Sifuba stressed that the provincial awards celebrate sporting excellence, resilience and discipline in men and women across sporting codes who have flown the Free State and South African flag on the international stage.

The red carpet was rolled out for a glittering array of accolade recipients, and the man they call Khanda – a nickname fondly bestowed by his peers from the Harmony Sport Academy – was duly honoured for his prowess and exploits on the pitch. He remains a beacon of inspiration to the youth of the province.

Mokoena’s season highlights read like a highlight reel. In May, he unleashed a thunderous equaliser in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR in Rabat – a stunning half-volley off the underside of the crossbar that restored Sundowns’ aggregate lead and ultimately secured their second continental crown. The unstoppable strike proved the decisive moment of the tie.

On the international front, Mokoena delivered when it mattered most, calmly slotting a crucial late penalty to salvage a 1 – 1 draw against Czechia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. His composed performance earned him the Man of the Match award on the grandest stage of all. A mainstay in the national team setup since March 2018, he has amassed 53 caps and counting.

The decorated midfielder was also crowned the PSL Footballer of the Season for the 2022-’23 campaign and has represented South Africa with distinction.

“We need to draw inspiration from the positive trajectory that sport has taken at a national level. Our patriotism and national pride have been emboldened by the performance of our national sports teams at continental and international levels. As we celebrate, let us draw inspiration from the performance of Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their campaign demonstrated the importance of resilience, preparation, teamwork and belief.

“South Africa reached the knockout stage after a campaign that included a defeat by Mexico, a draw with Czechia and a victory over Korea Republic, before a narrow 1 – 0 defeat to Canada brought the campaign to an end. That journey should remind us that progress is built one step at a time. It should remind our young athletes that setbacks are not the end of the road,” said Sifuba.

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