Mokoena pained by Downs brush-off

07 January 2016 - 02:05 By Tiyani wa ka Mabasa

Lebohang Mokoena thinks he has overstayed his welcome at Mamelodi Sundowns and says it is time to move on. "Cheeseboy" admits that he's cried himself to sleep thinking about his situation at Sundowns, where he is kicking his heels on the sidelines.Mokoena has featured in just 18 of Sundowns' last 95 games in all competitions over the past three seasons and said yesterday he couldn't take it any longer."My situation right now is that there are still negotiations between the club and my agent just to get me out of the club," he said."It's been too long. I'm not getting game time and it is hurting me. It is painful."People don't understand, but it is really painful. Every day I think about it and God has kept me going." I cry alone at night. I sit there and tears just flow."The 29-year-old played a pivotal role alongside the likes of Teko Modise when the Brazilians won the league in 2013-2014.Mokoena featured in Sundowns' last 10 games as they took the title, but it's been downhill since, with just one start over the last two seasons.The former Orlando Pirates midfielder insists enough is enough after 94 appearances and 17 goals since arriving at the club from Pirates in 2009."I played and we won the league, expecting that I would carry on in the next season, but I was on the bench."Now it is the new season and it is halfway through, but I still haven't got a chance."I'm also human and it has got to a stage where this has to stop," Mokoena said."Dr (Irvin) Khoza taught me that it is not about the money, it is about the satisfaction that you get from doing what you love and the rest will follow."That has always been my motto but somewhere, somehow when you are deprived of doing what you love it becomes difficult."I started only one game last season. I mean, what's one start?"For me, it is not about whether I go to Chiefs, Wits, Pirates or Supersport. It is about playing football."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.