Why Teboho Mokoena’s Name Keeps Coming Up
South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign may not have delivered the fairy-tale ending many fans hoped for, but one thing it did do was shine an even brighter light on Teboho Mokoena.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has quietly built a reputation as one of the most reliable central players in the Premier Soccer League. Week after week, season after season, he has been the engine that keeps Sundowns ticking. That consistency, combined with his regular appearances for Bafana Bafana, has inevitably sparked talk about a move beyond South Africa’s borders.
In recent days, those whispers have grown louder, with links to Egyptian giants Al Ahly doing the rounds.
Agent Moves Quickly To Cool The Noise
Speculation is one thing. Confirmation is another.
Mokoena’s agent, Glyn Binkin, has been quick to shut down claims that a deal is already in motion. According to him, there has been no contact from Al Ahly, no discussions, and no offer placed on the table.
More importantly, Mokoena remains under contract at Mamelodi Sundowns, having signed a renewal last year. In the agent’s view, that fact alone makes much of the transfer chatter premature.
Still, in modern football, denials do not always end the conversation. They often just pause it.
The Al Ahly Angle And The Dieng Question
The logic behind the rumours is not entirely random. Reports suggest Al Ahly are planning for life after Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng, whose contract situation has placed him firmly in the shop window.
Dieng has been a cornerstone of Al Ahly’s dominance since arriving in Cairo in 2019, winning league titles, domestic cups, and multiple CAF Champions League trophies. Replacing him will not be simple, and clubs of Al Ahly’s stature do not think small when filling gaps.
From that perspective, Mokoena’s profile makes sense. He is experienced, tactically disciplined, and already battle-hardened in the Champions League environment.
Why Sundowns Are Unlikely To Budge
For Sundowns, this is not the time to gamble. The Pretoria giants are chasing both domestic dominance and long-awaited continental redemption after last season’s heartbreak in the Champions League final.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is still shaping his squad, and Mokoena sits firmly in the category of untouchable players. Letting a midfield general leave mid-season would weaken their title push and send the wrong message about their ambitions.
Among supporters, the mood on social media has been clear. Many fans have urged the club to resist any temptation, arguing that keeping core players together is the only way Sundowns finally reclaim the Champions League crown.
The World Cup Factor Looms Large
There is also the personal side of the equation. At 28, Mokoena is entering a critical phase of his career, with the World Cup finals just months away.
A risky transfer now could jeopardise his rhythm, his minutes, and potentially his standing with national coach Hugo Broos. Broos has already made it clear that timing matters when it comes to overseas moves, warning players against chasing deals that could stall their development ahead of major tournaments.
For Mokoena, stability may be the smarter play, at least for now.
Transfer Talk Or Test Of Ambition?
For the moment, the situation remains unchanged. No offer. No negotiations. No exit imminent.
But in African football, sustained excellence rarely goes unnoticed. If Sundowns fall short again in the Champions League, or if Al Ahly formalise their interest, this conversation will resurface with more urgency.
Until then, Mokoena remains where Sundowns fans want him. In the middle of the park, setting the tempo, and quietly reminding the continent why his name keeps being mentioned in the first place.
Source: Goal ZA
Featured Image Source: Soccer Laduma on X
