Aaron Mokoena has had a season with many highs and lows. The South African team captain endured the uncertainty surrounding the financial future of his English Premier League club Portsmouth; he was instrumental in his side beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the semi-finals of the FA Cup; played in the cup final which they lost 1- 0 to Chelsea; and then saw his club relegated.
But on Friday, the 29-year-old made history by leading his South African team-mates in the first-ever World Cup match played on African soil.
And although the Group A encounter in Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium against Mexico ended in a 1-1 draw after Rafael Marquez equalised Siphiwe Tshabalala’s wonder-goal, Mokoena said he was happy with the result.
“It is good that we started today with a draw, not a defeat, and we have got to build on this ... The Mexicans are a very dangerous team to play against. I am keen to see what they will be doing in their next two games,” he said.
Mokoena, who became the first South African player to earn 100 caps when he played in the national side’s warm-up game against Guatemala, saw Bafana Bafana extend their unbeaten run to 13 games thanks to a good performance against Mexico.
“We have done well in the preparation games, we have worked so hard and I think we are being rewarded for that,” he said.
Mokoena is fully aware of the historical significance of captaining the hosts at this World Cup.
“I would be lying if I said there was no pressure, so it is important that we go out there and do our best.
There is always pressure when your wear the national jersey and play in the World Cup. And it is even more because we are at home this time,” he said.
Mokoena, who had unsuccessful stints with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam before making a name for himself in England’s Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, said he was honoured to lead his country.
“It is always an honour, I am so privileged really, to lead the boys. But I always said it is not about me. It’s about the boys I am leading and they make my life easier, they make my job easier,” he said.
Mokoena was disappointed that the first democratically-elected president of the country, Nelson Mandela, had not been able to attend the game after his great-granddaughter died in a car accident the night before.
“I had a chat with the former president a few days before and he said he would be at the game. I was surprised not to see him as I did not know that there had been a tragedy in his family.
“I know that he wanted to be here, but unfortunately ... it is very sad,” he said.
And he promised that the team would play their next two games for the South African icon.
“He deserves this. He deserves the support and he deserves the team to do well,” he said.
