Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena shed a tear during the national anthems ahead of their Fifa World Cup match the Czech Republic.
Image: Xinhua via IANS
Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena experienced a whirlwind of emotions on Thursday night as South Africa battled to a fighting 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
From fighting back tears during the national anthem to the unbridled joy of scoring Bafana's first goal of the tournament, Mokoena wore his heart on his sleeve throughout a dramatic evening in Atlanta.
The 29-year-old was visibly overcome with emotion even before kick-off, with television cameras capturing him wiping away tears as Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika echoed around the stadium.
His night then took a frustrating twist when he received a second tournament yellow card that rules him out of South Africa's decisive Group A finale against South Korea next week. The disbelief on his face was clear as the reality of the automatic one-match suspension sank in.
However, Mokoena ensured his World Cup narrative would have a happier chapter. With Bafana trailing 1-0 after conceding a costly opener in the sixth minute, Hugo Broos' side pushed relentlessly for an equaliser.
Their reward finally arrived in the 83rd minute when the Czech defence was penalised for a handball inside the penalty area. Up stepped Mokoena. The midfielder maintained absolute composure under immense pressure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot and sparking wild celebrations among the travelling South African supporters.
It was Bafana's first goal of the 2026 finals, a clinical strike that keeps their hopes of reaching the last 32 firmly alive. After the match, Mokoena revealed the deeply personal motivation behind his emotional display.
Teboho Mokoena with tears rolling down his face during the national anthem. Teboho Mokoena with tears rolling down his face during the national anthem.
Image: Screenshot/Supersport
"I was completely overwhelmed; I thought of my late grandfather," he explained. "I felt his presence out there. I think he would be incredibly proud if he were here today. I know that he always believed in me, even when no one else did."
On a night filled with tears, frustration, and ultimate redemption, Mokoena certainly did his grandfather — and his nation — proud.
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch