Veterans good for Bafana
Mokoena hopes inclusion in team rubs off on players
Former skipper Aaron “Mbabzo” Mokoena feels the presence of Bafana Bafana golden oldies within the setup has a positive effect on the players. The SA national team has roped in former players including himself, Andre Arendse and Shaun Bartlett to be part of the technical department. Mokoena is the deputy team manager, while Arendse is the goalkeeper coach and Bartlett has been brought in to be one of the assistant coaches.
“I hope that having the likes of Shaun, Andre and myself helps the guys. The fact is we have been there and we have experience,” Mokoena said. “When you have people who have been around the block it’s easier, especially people whom you can have a chat with.” SA are on the cusp of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations as they are in pole position in Group E. They can take another step towards qualification when they take on the Seychelles away in Vitcoria this afternoon (3.30pm SA time). The former Portsmouth defender urged the players to remain professional and not to take the islanders lightly. “Stuart has emphasised that qualifying has been an issue and it’s very dangerous to call other countries small teams. Every team that plays against us wants to beat us, it’s an extra motivation for them.” Mokoena has already mentored some of the younger players such as SuperSport United midfield prodigy Teboho Mokoena. Mbazo remembers how he too was eased into the national team by seniors such as Phil Masinga and Lucas Radebe. “I told Teboho that the reason Andreas Iniesta is one of the best in the world is because he scores goals. You need to get in the box and score goals. And he did [on Saturday].” Teboho scored Bafana’s sixth goal which set a new winning record.