Who is Teboho Mokoena? Scorer of South Africa's first World Cup goal in 16 years
(Courtesy : Getty)
Teboho Mokoena scored a late penalty to equalise for Bafana Bafana against Czechia.
South Africa fought back from an early goal down to rescue a 1-1 draw in their FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Czechia on June 18. After conceding inside six minutes to a strike from Michal Sadilek, it was a late penalty from Mokoena that secured the first point of the tournament for Bafana Bafana.
Sadilek finished a fine move from the Czechs to score after five minutes and eight seconds – the fastest goal of the World Cup so far. The result looked like a foregone conclusion, with the African side offering little going forward.
However, that changed when Thapelo Maseko’s shot was blocked by the arm of Pavel Sulc. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and Mokoena sent Matej Kovar the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.
It was a momentous occasion for the midfielder, who was seen in tears during his nation’s national anthem before the match. His successful penalty marked South Africa’s first goal of the expanded 48-team tournament in North America. It also kept them alive in the competition, following a 2-0 loss to Mexico in their opener.
Despite the positive result, head coach Hugo Broos will be disappointed that Mokoena was booked. This was his second yellow card in as many games, which means he is suspended for the next group-stage game against South Korea.
Also Read: Who is Michal Sadilek? Czechia player who scored fastest FIFA World Cup 2026 goal vs South Africa
Teboho Mokoena Profile
- Age: 29
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
After being scouted while playing for his school, he was signed by the SuperSport United academy. Former Odisha FC head coach Stuart Baxter gave him his senior debut in 2017. He became a fixture in their midfield along with Dean Furman and Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
After 127 appearances for SuperSport United, he moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022. During his time with the Brazilians, he has gone from strength to strength, establishing himself as one of the best players in their domestic league. Last season, he played in 41 matches across all competitions, scoring seven goals and registering two assists.
Who is Teboho Mokoena?
He is a 29‑year‑old midfielder who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African national anthem.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.