Lebohang Mokoena

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Lebohang Mokoena
Personal information
Full name Lebohang Lefalamang Paul Mokoena
Date of birth September 29, 1986 (1986-09-29) (age 21)
Place of birth    Soweto, South Africa
Height 1.70 m
Playing position Right-winger, striker
Club information
Current club Orlando Pirates
Number 23
Youth clubs
Orlando Pirates
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2003- Orlando Pirates 68 (9)   
National team2
2005- South Africa 5 (0)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of June 1, 2007.
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of June 1, 2007.
* Appearances (Goals)

Lebohang Mokoena (born September 29, 1986 in Soweto, Gauteng) is a South African football (soccer) player for South African Premier Soccer League side Orlando Pirates and South Africa. Mokoena is known for his pace and dribbling ability, and is most commonly found playing upfront or on the right wing. He has no relations with Blackburn Rovers player Aaron Mokoena except being his national team captain].

[edit] Early beginnings

Lebohang Mokoena started playing football at the age of eight, playing football in the streets of his birthplace, Diepkloof, zone 3, 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 his Primary school. Mokoena began playing football for his local team, Diepkloof Hellenic.

[edit] Graduation to the first team

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.

[edit] National career

Lebohang 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 is a regular figure and one of the top goal scorers in the U-23 squad. As of 2005, he is also a full Bafana Bafana international. "Cheese" made his international debut in the famous 2-1 win against Mexico during the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States on July 8th, 2005.


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