Why I chose Sekhukhune over Chiefs – Mokotjo
‘Babina Noko gave me the opportunity I wanted’
Kamohelo Mokotjo of Sekhukhune United.
Kamohelo Mokotjo of Sekhukhune United.
Image: Philip Maeta
Sekhukhune United midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo joined the club because they offered him an offer he wanted, unlike Kaizer Chiefs.
This was revealed by the 32-year-old yesterday after his move to Amakhosi, who showed interest in him, collapsed.
The experienced midfielder made a return to SA after 14 years abroad where he had stints with Feyenoord, Twente and Brentford.
“Sekhukhune gave me the opportunity I wanted. Other teams were looking at other external factors. Maybe they perceive me in a way that’s not me,” Mokotjo said during the club media open day at Johannesburg Stadium yesterday.
“So, I’m a footballer and my only job is to play football and I respect that and I’m passionate about what I do. When it comes to big or small teams, I don’t see that because my career has been far from smooth. So I love challenges.
“This is one of them, the only thing I can do now is to repay the club for giving me this opportunity to do what I love.”
The midfielder has been impressive for Ba Bina Noko in the eight appearances he made across all competitions and says he is not yet 100% match-fit.
“The coach [Brandon Truter] knows that. I said to him, maybe I’m at 80 or 85, so there is still a lot more room to grow fitness-wise. But knowing myself, I’m not satisfied and I also feel like I haven’t peaked yet,” he said. “I’m a 32-year-old in a body of a 28-year-old, so I feel there is a lot more to come.”
Mokotjo will look to continue with his impressive form when Sekhukhune face Chiefs on Sunday and added that confidence is high from the players ahead of the match.
“I think mentally we are prepared. I think the boys won in the first round. The hopes are high. We are looking solid, players are taking responsibility in their roles and that’s very important.
“If this one is having a bad game, the other one can carry the team. I’m enjoying seeing the progress of the boys and the team.
Kaizer Chiefs have rejected an initial proposal to sign Bafana Bafana international midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo, who is a free agent, SABC Sport has learnt.
It’s emerged that the Glamour Boys were informed about the experienced player’s availability as a possible replacement for the young Njabulo Blom, who was this month sold to St Louis City in the USA.
Mokotjo has been without a club since November 2021 after partying ways with FC Cincinnati in the Major League Soccer with the hope that he would reunite with FC Twente in the Dutch topflight.
But seeing as that has not worked out and he remains unattached, it is understood the 31-year-old is open to playing in the Premier Soccer League, where he last featured for SuperSport United in 2009.
Mokotjo has been abroad for over a decade and he did tell Metro FM in August that he’d be keen on Chiefs because it is a “wonderful club that deserves more”.
According to SABC Sport sources, Chiefs are reluctant to sign a player who is over 30 given the mandate by the club – headed by sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr and coach Arthur Zwane – to drastically reduce the average age of the squad.
The Soweto giants have been intentional about recruiting from their youth academy of bringing on board players still very much in their early 20s, hence the decision to turn down an initial offer to add Mokotjo to their roster.
Although not clear, there have been suggestions that the player’s personal terms would be a stumbling block too if his previous MLS salary is anything to go by – the midfielder was confirmed to be earning R15-million per annum as a designated player.
“Money is important, but it is not the most important thing. What I want to do is, if the opportunity presents itself, I want to go where there’s a winning mentality. I want to enjoy my football and my home country,” Mokotjo said on Metro FM then.
