Teboho Mokoena's comment about performing in stadiums that are not fully packed have sparked interesting conversation among fans of South African soccer community.
After the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON ) game against Congo, Tebogo Mokoena shared his experience on the match where Bafana Bafana (South Africa's national team) competed in a fully packed stadium, stating "I don't play a lot of games in full stadiums so I had to enjoy it.".
He mentioned how much he enjoyed the ambiance. This stood out as Mamelodi Sundowns his club team usually doesn't have all their games completely filled with fans.
Some supporters interpreted Mokoena's comment as a questioning of Sundowns fans dedication to the football club than appreciating their loyalty to the team
Mokoena's sentiments were echoed by fans and observers who pointed out that PSL (Premier Soccer League) games often fail to fill stadiums a trend seen even in Mamelodi Sundowns matches specifically.
They viewed his comment as a reflection of the situation and perhaps a nudge for both the team and supporters to collaborate in boosting turnout.
Mokoena's defenders highlight that he was sharing his experiences and had no intention to cause offense while also urging the club and it's fans to reflect on ways to enhance matchday enjoyment and boost attendance numbers.
Mamelodi Sundowns has not released any statement in response to Mokoena's comment however the matter may have instigated internal conversations about enhancing fan interaction strategies.
The response underscores a difference in how fans view the responsibilities of football players compared to their expectations for the teams performance and interaction with them.