Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Lebohang Mokoena has not played professional football since the end of the 2021/22 season, so despite many football-loving fans believing he is, he is still in retirement. do not have.
'happy people'
The Soweto-born footballer, affectionately known as 'Cheese Boy', was one of Pirates' dedicated young footballers feared by opponents in the early 2000s. Among them were Joseph “Duku Duku” Makhanya, Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi and the late Gift “Vum Vum” Lelemi.
At the time, the Buccaneers, under Serbian coach Kostadin Papic, failed to win a silver medal, but their enthusiastic fans dubbed themselves “Happy People'' due to the club's form. The nickname comes from American musician R Kelly's hit song of the same name.
In 2003, at the young age of 17, Mokoena joined Soweto Giants and made his debut that year. The following season (2004/05), his efforts paid off and he was awarded the club's Player of the Year award. As a result, he was promoted to the Orlando Pirates senior team the following season.
Mokoena is widely known for his speed and dribbling ability and made just under 100 appearances for Pirates. During his time with the club, he also featured on the following shows: football manager 2006 – North American football management simulation video game.
In 2009, the right winger and striker joined Pretoria-based team Mamelodi Sundowns. After leaving Masandawana, Mokoena signed with Cape Town Spurs (formerly Ajax Cape Town). In 2018, he joined the competitive Morooka Swallows.
There are not many football players in this country who can boast of representing their country at every level. However, in Mokoena's case, he started for the U-17s (14 caps) and U-20s (2 caps), and was a regular for the U-23s, where he was also one of their top scorers.
Bafana Bafana made their debut in 2005 in a 2-1 win against Mexico in the United States.
Where is Orlando Pirates legend Lebohang Mokoena now?
In 2023, Mokoena tragically lost his wife of eight years, Macentle.
speak at Maharatse Prime Sports He explained that his wife died while giving birth last year. The couple have four children.
“I miss her so much and I'm in counseling now because I need it. That's why I decided to take a break from football to deal with the kids.”
“I have to make sure that my children are taken care of properly and that they have access to counseling to help them get through this. We will never forget, so we don't want it to be easy. I know there isn’t, but life has to go on,” he explained.
Although Mokoena is not retiring, he has already started working on a new chapter in his life. In December 2023, he said: Soccer Laduma He revealed that he has completed a coaching course for his Safa D license.
During his interview at onside podcast Speaking with Len Moleko on MacG's YouTube channel, the Bucks veteran revealed that he is still working with the Zodwa Khoza Foundation. Zodwa is the late daughter of Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza.
Ms Mokoena also shared her desire to continue her philanthropic work through her foundation, which provides assistance to needy school children.
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