Siphiwe Tshabalala believes Teboho Mokoena is poised to become one of Bafana Bafana’s defining figures on the global stage, despite the midfielder’s recent dip in club form with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Speaking at a FIFA World Cup trophy tour event in Cape Town, the Kaizer Chiefs legend and 2010 World Cup hero singled Mokoena out as the heartbeat of Hugo Broos’ side, insisting the 27-year-old has the temperament and talent to lead South Africa in North America.

“Teboho Mokoena has been very impressive, very consistent and one of the key players in the group,” Tshabalala told ESPN, drawing a clear line between Mokoena’s influence and Bafana’s resurgence in recent years.

For Tshabalala, the disappointment of the last Africa Cup of Nations is a stumble rather than a sign of decline. He argues that the core of the current squad, with Mokoena at its centre, has already shown enough quality to compete with the best and will arrive at the World Cup hardened by setbacks rather than scarred by them.

His endorsement comes at a delicate moment for Mokoena. The midfielder has been under intense scrutiny since an administrative blunder saw him fielded while suspended in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, costing South Africa three points. The error, attributed to a failure within the South African Football Association’s structures, left Mokoena carrying a burden that was not of his making.

He has since admitted that the incident affected him emotionally and dented his confidence, even as Bafana ultimately secured qualification. At club level, Sundowns’ usually smooth domestic dominance has been tested, with pressure mounting in both the league and the CAF Champions League.

Yet Tshabalala is adamant that this is precisely the kind of adversity that forges leaders. He has urged Mokoena to embrace his role as a standard-bearer while challenging other South African professionals to force their way into contention.

“The door is not closed for a place in the team,” he said, calling on players across the league to raise their levels and push Mokoena and his teammates for starting spots.

As South Africa prepare to face co-hosts Mexico and navigate a demanding Group A, Mokoena stands at a crossroads: a player under pressure, but also one entrusted with the chance to help Bafana Bafana finally break through the World Cup group-stage barrier that eluded Tshabalala’s generation.