Lebohang Mokoena (born 29 September 1986) is a South African footballer who plays for Moroka Swallows.
Mokoena is known for his pace and dribbling ability, and is most commonly found playing upfront or on the right wing.
He has no relation with former Portsmouth FC player Aaron Mokoena.
He is also extremely famous for being featured on Football Manager 2005 as a high potential and relatively cheap signing.
Early beginnings
Mokoena started playing football at the age of eight, playing football in the streets of his birthplace, Diepkloof in Soweto.
While growing up, Mokoena excelled in other sports athletics. He had a keen interest in sprinting and broke records in the 100, 200 and 800 meter events at Fordsburg Primary School.
Mokoena began playing football for his local team Diepkloof Hellenic.
Career
Mokoena’s arrival into the professional ranks was promoted to the first team at the age of seventeen.
He made his PSL debut coming on as a substitute in the 2–2 draw away to Santos on 1 November 2003, going on to play twenty-four matches in that season, starting eleven and coming off the bench thirteen times; he netted five goals.
In the next season (2004–05), his efforts were rewarded when he won the club’s Most Improved Player of the Year award.
In 2006 Lebohang was promoted to Orlando Pirates senior team where he spent three seasons, before moving to Pretoria side Mamelodi Sundowns. Mokoena currently plays for Moroka Swallows F.C. and he is also their captain.
National career
Mokoena is one of a few young players in the country who has the record of having represented his nation at all levels starting with the Under-17 (14 caps), U-20 (2 caps) and he was a regular figure, and one of the top goal scorers, in the U-23 squad.
“Cheeseboy”, as he is nicknamed, made his international debut in a 2–1 win against Mexico during the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States on 8 July 2005.
CHEESEBOY MOKOENA OPENS UP ABOUT LOSING HIS WIFE
Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana star Lebohang Mokoena, fondly known as ‘Cheese Boy,’ shares the heartbreaking story of losing his wife during childbirth.
In an interview on Prime Sports with Mahlatse, Mokoena discusses the profound impact of his wife’s passing on his life and family.
The 36-year-old reflects on the shock and devastation he experienced when his soul mate passed away.
“It is somebody who has been part of my life since I was fourteen years old. Eight years in marriage and a very influential person in my life.”
“When she came in, she made changes in my life, and I learned a lot from her in terms of how to conduct myself and certain things that you need to have as a family man. I have always put my family first.
“Getting married early in my career brought a little bit of stability and made me focus more on my football career as well. That’s why I was able to sustain myself for that long. Even in the heavens, I know she is looking upon me and fulfilling all the dreams that we always had.”
Mokoena reveals that his wife’s advice during her pregnancy unexpectedly prepared him for her untimely departure.
Her premonitions led him to become more involved in household responsibilities, unknowingly setting the stage for life after her passing.
“For me, they say God works in mysterious ways. So before my wife passed, she passed while giving birth, and during her pregnancy, her gynaecologist advised her not to work too much so she didn’t have to cook and be up for long, so she was resting a lot.
“I started cooking, taking the kids to school. At the time, I wasn’t aware that she was preparing me for the day she would no longer be here. She could see things that I could not even see myself.“
“She predicted her time, and I was telling her not to say that. I have four kids—two boys and two girls. It is a hard pill to swallow, but I have to pay every day and ask for strength from the Lord.”
