Mokotjo has his dream job

Sibongiseni Gumbi

Kamohelo Mokotjo’s Bafana Bafana career is the stuff dreams are made of.

The 27-year-old Odendaalsrusborn defensive midfielder has had to have the patience of a hunter to make his break into the national senior side and he believes the experience he gained playing in Europe comes in handy.

Momokjo (below) is one of the players trusted by Stuart Baxter to do duty in a Caf Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

“We are all in a positive mood,” said Mokotjo yesterday. “It becomes much easier when I join the national team because there are a lot of players who are accustomed to my style of play,” he added.

The Brentford captain avoids talking about his personal achievements especially while on national duty, but he admitted that captaining the English Championship side was a major achievement in his career.

“It is an honour. Captaining any side means a lot because it shows that I am a leader in the changeroom and beyond. Being called up for Bafana is an honour and I always knew my time would come as long as I kept doing well at club level,” he said.

But for now his focus is with Bafana who can gain a huge advantage should they win on Saturday, as they will top Group E with six points.

Baxter’s side started their Afcon qualifying campaign on a high note as they beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2-0 away in June last year with Percy Tau and Tokelo Rantie scoring the goals.

Rantie will not be there on Saturday but Mokotjo believes every player in the team can influence the result.

“Games are won everywhere. Everyone is responsible for a task on the field. The players here need to step up. We just need to focus on what we can do best. That would be the secret.”