BOIPATONG.- Mokete Tsotetsi is another household name from Vaal to make a name for himself in South African football.
Sedibeng Ster Sport went down memory lane with this no-nonsense former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana defender to reflect on his professional football career. After he retired from top-flight football, Tsotetsi decided to become a coach. He started his coaching career in the ABC Motsepe League and moved to the Motsepe Foundation Championship where he coached Maccabi, Spears of The Nation, and Black Eagles among others.
Unlike other former professional soccer players, Tsotetsi didn’t fold his arms but took the initiative to attend SAFA coaching courses organised by Emfuleni Local Football Association (ELFA) in conjunction with Safa Sedibeng. This is where he started to shape his coaching career to gain more coaching knowledge. He didn’t rely on his playing experience.
Tsotetsi also comes from the same township as former Bafana Bafana Captain, Aaron “Mbazo” Mokoena. To make it interesting both of them are former Jomo Cosmos players even though they didn’t play together. When Tsotetsi joined Jomo Cosmos, Mokoena was already playing abroad. Sedibeng Ster Sport needs to note that, in the past Boipatong produced great footballers.
Tsotetsi started his amateur football career with the now-defunct, The Birds FC, and went to Wits development. However, his rise to stardom was when he joined Jomo Cosmos after being spotted by the club boss, Jomo Sono, who is well known for introducing unknown players in South African football.
Some of the Vaal players who played for Cosmos were former Bafana Bafana midfielder, Augustine Makalakalane, Mabena “Love” Monnakgotla, Avril Phali, Lucky Mhlathe, Bongani Theletsane, Tshidiso Tukane, and Aaron Mokoena.
“My life is all about football that is why I decided to coach after I retired from football because this sport has been good to me. I’m very proud of what I achieved as a player from Boipatong township and not every youngster had this opportunity to play at this level.
Playing for a big team like Kaizer Chiefs will remain the highlights of my football career and for Bafana Bafana. I have four Bafana Bafana caps even though they say I have one cap and I don’t know why,” said Tsotetsi.
Nowadays Tsotetsi spends most of his time watching Motsepe Foundation Championships and DSTV Diski Challenge matches at Isak Steyl Stadium at the weekends.
