Aaron Mokoena
Peter Auf der Heyde
In February 1999 Aaron Mokoena became the youngest player to represent South Africa at international level when he played against Botswana as an 18-year-old. After short stints in Holland, Belgium and Germany, he is firmly established in the English Premier League.
After playing more than 100 games for Blackburn Rovers he signed a three-year contract with Portsmouth, which he will join for the start of the new season. ”Mbazo” or ”The Axe”, as he is known by his fans, is one of many South African players who was discovered by the legendary Jomo Sono.
Sono has had a hand in developing several successful South African players. Mokoena, who seems likely to be the first South African to reach the 100-cap milestone, is Bafana captain and will lead the side into the Confederations Cup tournament.
His previous experience as captain in a tournament ended in disappointment when South Africa were bundled out of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana at the first hurdle. Mokoena, however, was one of the outstanding players in a mediocre South African side and was, at the time, linked with a move to several European sides. He was eager to sort out his club position ahead of the Confederations Cup.
”I wanted my future sorted out before the Confed Cup in order not to worry about anything else other than playing for Bafana.”
Mbazo acknowledges that Confederations Cup expectations are sky-high, even beyond South Africa, and that failure will have a negative effect on the World Cup coming to Africa for the first time.
”We all know the expectations are huge because we are the hosts. We have learned from mistakes and I’m positive we won’t let our country down,” he told the media after a training session with the team.
The hosts were lucky when they avoided world champions Italy and two-time Confederations Cup winners Brazil in the draw. Instead, they will face European champions Spain, Oceania representatives New Zealand and surprise Asian champions Iraq in Group B. With the final game being against Spain, Mokoena is hoping the team will have six points ahead of their clash against the European team.
”Everyone has their opinions on the national team, but we are aware that neither of our first two opponents, Iraq or New Zealand, will be easy.
”I think everyone expects us to roll over Iraq and New Zealand but we know what is expected from us and we are more than ready to perform,” said Mokoena, who could find another place in South African footballing history by taking the team into the Confederations Cup semifinals.
Besides playing football, the Bafana captain has started a foundation. The inspiration for the Foundation is a desire to replicate and improve opportunities for children and young people to have high-quality football experiences in South Africa. — dpa
The facts:
Name: Aaron Mokoena
Nickname: Mbazo (The Axe)
Age: 29
Club: Portsmouth
Caps: 82
Position: Defender: defensive midfielder
Favourite player: Patrick Viera
Favourite club: Manchester United
Inspiration: My mother Maria Mokoena