I am the testimony of hard work - Mokoena.

The big winner at the PSL end of the Season Awards, Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns, says he is the testimony of hard work, and touched on Manchester City midfielder, Rodri's influence on his game.

Mokoena was speaking after he walked away with the Dstv Premiership Footballer of the Season, and Midfielder of the Season Awards.

"Firstly I would like to thank everyone at the club, the supporters, the players, the technical team, the Motsepe family, my family and the coaches that voted for me," he told sundownsfc.co.za.

"I’m very happy to win the awards. I am the testimony of hard work. Hard work pays off and I am the definition of answered prayers."

Mokoena mentions coach Rulani Mokwena's encouragement as one of the catalysts in his superb 2022 23 season.

He says watching Rodri from Man City also helped his own game.

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"Coach Rulani has reminded me throughout the season that my job is to protect the defense so that we concede fewer goals as a team. I did a lot of work with the Coach. I started being interested in Rodri Hernandez and watching Manchester City as well as how he moves and defends," continued Tebza.

Tebza has vowed to continue doing the dirty work for the team, something he did with aplomb last season, despite doubts over his capacity to handle the demanding defensive midfield position at Sundowns.

"I will always do the dirty work for the team, score, and assist when needed, but I know there are players that will do that. My job is to protect the team and defend because I know that the players in front of me will score. My target for this season was to play regularly and perform well." 

Teboho Mokoena, wearing the boots that once belonged to giants.

DStv Premiership Footballer of the Season, as well as Midfielder of the Season Award winner, Teboho Mokoena, is wearing heavy boots that once belonged to giants like Esrom Nyandoro, Hlompho Kekana, and more recently, Andile Jali.

What's with the long range cracker he banged in when we beat Al Ahly SC 5-2 during the CAF Champions League group stage? Was that not a vintage Nyandoro and Kekana strike?

I bet it was.

When it comes to the number six position, Mamelodi Sundowns has rarely put a foot wrong, and Mokoena seems to be continuing with the tradition of our former captains.

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He still has a long way to go, but as he keeps growing, their boots will fit him perfectly.

Doubts were there when he stepped in to replace Jali in the starting line up.

Jali had won midfielder of the season in the 2021/22 season, and rarely put a foot wrong as our six, commanding the midfield like a war hardened general that he is.

When he was suddenly benched for Mokoena, it meant Tebza had a lot to do to win the hearts of The Yellow Nation, and prove that he was ready to take charge of our engine room.

And prove himself he did, putting in hard shifts in our midfield, with some sterling work on and off the ball.

Mokoena, although not much of an intimidating figure, has the bite, a strong engine to do the long yards, and the technique to find his teammates with short and medium range passes.

And he can score, which is a big plus, even though he hasn't found the back of the net as much as he is capable of doing.

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Again, as he keeps on improving under coach Rulani Mokwena, an advocate of hard work and consistent improvement, we might see him growing in leaps and bounds, becoming the Rolls-Royce of deep-lying-midfielders in African football.

In a nutshell, our midfield is in good hands, as the Sundowns midfield has been ever since I can remember.