Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena says he doesn’t need the validation of Carling Cup votes to know he’s a quality footballer.
Ahead of the first-ever Carling Cup to feature four teams, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu and Sundowns – in a brief conversation with ambassador Phumudzo Manenzhe, he stated ‘big players’ who are not voted into the line-up by supporters must realise they not as big as they think they are.
Whether he said it in jest is up for debate, but Mokoena has been subject to criticism from sections of Sundowns fans who believe he has more to offer the club in his midfield role – despite surpassing the metrics of any other player in his position in the squad this season.
And with the Bafana Bafana international not voted into the line-up, he says that doesn’t change his one-tracked perception of his confidence in his abilities, having previously stated before he joined Masandawana that he is the best midfielder in the Premier Soccer League.
“To answer your question… at Mamelodi Sundowns we have a bunch of quality players and I won’t falter the fans voting for them to start,” Mokoena said at Chloorkop on Thursday.
“As for… I’m not a big player or I’m a big player. What I know is, I am a big player so I don’t need anyone to tell me I’m a big player – that’s why I’m here at Mamelodi Sundowns and that’s why I’m playing [in the first-team].”
Themba Zwane and Andile Jali are likely to form the central midfield pairing in the opening clash against AmaZulu at 9am on Saturday morning at FNB Stadium.
