Kamohelo Mokotjo may be reaching veteran status at the age of 33, but the Cape Town City midfielder still has much more to give, writes Mogamad Allie.
As an aspirant young footballer who had the honour of captaining South Africa’s under-12 team, the Tsetse Flies, to victory in the annual Danone Nations Cup which was staged in Paris in 2003, Kamohelo Mokotjo always had his sights set on carving out a professional career in Europe.
After being scouted, along with Kermit Erasmus and Masibusane Zongo, by the SuperSport United academy, Mokotjo effectively used the skills development and football education provided by top youth coaches like Kwanele Kopo, Godfrey Mosoetsa and Kaitano Tembo, to realise his dream.
After making his senior debut for SuperSport United at the tender age of 17, he was soon off to top Dutch side Feyenoord, with whom Matsatsantsa had a partnership between 2001 and 2007.
“Playing in Europe was the plan for me from the onset. I didn’t think of playing professionally in South Africa, I always thought international,” Mokotjo tells SoccerClub.
“I was young but my qualities at that age really fitted the international style of play rather than the style of the PSL.”
It was in the Netherlands where the defensive midfielder, affectionately known as ‘the General’, spent eight successful seasons.
In the first year of his four-year stint with Feyenoord, Mokotjo was sent on loan to second-tier SBV Excelsior whom he helped to win promotion to the Eredivisie.
In his three seasons at Feyenoord, where he played under former Dutch international Ronald Koeman, Mokotjo made only 38 appearances in all competitions.
A move to PEC Zwolle followed in the European summer of 2013. In his only season with the Blauwvingers he played 34 games in all competitions, helping the side to win the Dutch KNVB Cup and the Dutch Super Cup, the club’s first silverware as a topflight outfit.
His form with PEC Zwolle, which saw him being voted Player of the Season by the club’s fans, caught the attention of FC Twente, who signed Mokotjo just before the start of the 2014–15 season.
“It was a very big honour to be appointed as captain at Twente whom I joined as a senior player. The move came off the back of me helping Zwolle win their first two trophies as an Eredivisie side,” he says.
Reflecting on his time at Feyenoord, Mokotjo is grateful to Ronald Koeman for aiding his growth into a more complete player.
“Ronald is a good coach and maybe was a better player. He’s a very direct guy.
“He really appreciated me and even though I wasn’t getting much game time he still wouldn’t let me leave because he brought out a different side to me.
“I understood where he was coming from – he helped me to see there’s still so much more potential in me. It was a tough period but I was better for it.
“He thought I was very versatile – he played me at right-back, centre-back and number six, my original position, becausen he thought I understood the game.”
His move in 2017 to Brentford, who were campaigning in the English Championship at the time, was the realisation of a dream for Mokotjo, who always aspired to play in England.
Even though he missed out on the dream of winning promotion to the Premier League after Brentford lost to Fulham in the playoff final, Mokotjo is grateful for the experience of playing under coach Thomas Frank in what he believes to be the toughest league in the world.
“Thomas is an amazing human being, we still talk regularly. He understands the human side of things before anything football related. He lets you express yourself on the pitch, he understands the type of player you are and gets the best out of what you possess in ability.” Major Soccer League side FC Cincinnati signed Mokotjo in August of 2020.
“Jaap Stam, who was the Cincinnati coach, had already expressed interest in signing me when he was with Championship side Reading.
“It was a turbulent time with injuries which really affected my time there. I never got to settle. I nevertheless enjoyed my time in the USA.”
Amid speculation that he would be returning to South Africa to join Kaizer Chiefs or SuperSport United, it came as a surprise when he opted to sign for unfashionable Sekhukhune United in January 2023.
“Sekhukhune gave me the opportunity without any politics or any strings attached,” he says.
“It was fair and honest from their side and we just got on with business. I appreciate that the Sekhukhune family took a chance on me. I always bet on myself. At the end of the day we both served each other well.”
At the conclusion of his 18-month deal with Babina Noko, Mokotjo was snapped up by Cape Town City to fill the gap in midfield left by the departures of Cameroonian, Brice Ambina and Thato Mokeke.
“I’ve been an admirer of his for quite a while – he was always a thorn every time we played Sekhukhune. So, having him on board is a massive gain,” said City coach Eric Tinkler.
Mokotjo says the move to the Citizens, with whom he signed a two-year deal, came down to a choice between moving to Cape Town or returning to Europe.
“To be honest, it was Cape Town or I was going back to Europe. I like Cape Town City’s brand of football which is entertaining, they always want to be in control.”
“The city is amazing, the environment is different but it was also for my family. We needed something new. The plan is to continue doing the work that needs to be done at Cape Town City and not leave empty-handed when it comes to titles and leaving a good imprint on the club.”
Mokotjo, who turns 34 in March, still sees himself playing for a few more seasons before embarking on a career in coaching.
“Only God knows how long I’ll still be playing but I think I can still go for four or five more seasons as long as I remain healthy and do the right things as a professional.
“After that I will hopefully transition into coaching. I’m hoping to take my badges while I’m playing and get a feel for it. It will make me see things differently.”
Once he has completed his stint with City, Mokotjo envisages a move back to the Netherlands. “Europe is always on radar. It will be great for me to end my career internationally.”
