Mokotjo thumbs his nose at Shakes
The curious case of Kamohelo Mokotjo. That is probably a good way to describe the goings-on of the past couple of weeks, ending with the 26year-old midfielder giving a wonderful display of passing accuracy in Bafana Bafana’s 3-1 friendly international victory over Guinea-Bissau.
Mokotjo’s extra-fast readmission as a South African citizen has inevitably met with criticism in some quarters. And it is perfectly fair to cast a slightly weary eye at a system that so quickly expedited Mokotjo’s repatriation. Would an ordinary Joe have got the same rapid-fire treatment Mokotjo did from Home Affairs, with a decision conveniently made just 24 hours ahead of his appearance for Bafana? I think we all know the answer to that one.
Yet the criticism I take issue with is from those who suggest he somehow lacks patriotism or doesn’t deserve to play for South Africa because he chose to take up Dutch nationality in December.
Was Mokotjo aware he would lose his South African citizenship when he did this? I don’t know, but either way I don’t blame the player. The circumstances at that stage of his career were clear. Mokotjo was not playing for Bafana after a falling out with then-coach Shakes Mashaba, and had retired from international football.
He could not have known when he would play for Bafana again, and he knew that getting a Dutch passport would vastly improve his chances of moving to a bigger club in Europe, specially England where work permit rules are notoriously strict.
So he took a pragmatic choice, one that should ultimately help his livelihood and his family. Mashaba was sacked and the opportunity presented itself for him to return to Bafana this month. And Mokotjo took the opportunity, helped by a South African Football Association suddenly keen to have him play for his country again by all means necessary. Mokotjo could have said no and stayed in Holland and happily continued his career. I actually believe the fact that he accepted the call-up shows his loyalty to South Africa.
There is also a question that has been raised of whether Mokotjo is worth all the bother. I have seen him play live for Bafana twice, in Mbabane against Swaziland, and in Durban against Guinea-Bissau. And I would respond with an unequivocal “yes”. There is nobody else, to my mind, in this Bafana squad with the technical ability and eye for a pass that Mokotjo possesses.
Now that he is back, I hope the new Bafana coach builds his team around this talented midfielder.
May I also welcome you this week to a bigger, better Phakaaathi, with an eightpage insert containing all the latest betting tips as well as more news and views. We have kept, at the same time, all our regular Phakaaathi features. We interview Mamelodi Sundowns attacking star Khama Billiat and also rate Bafana’s players from the game against Guinea-Bissau. We feature AmaZulu’s young attacking midfielder Boysen Mbatha and we speak to David Kannemeyer about this weekend’s huge Absa Premiership clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Don’t forget, meanwhile, to look out next week for our Player-of-the-Month competition for March.