Lebohang Mokoena

Football player infobox|playername=Lebohang Mokoena


playername = Lebohang Mokoena
fullname = Lebohang Lefalamang Paul Mokoena
nickname =
height = 1.70 m
weight =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1986|09|29
cityofbirth = Soweto
countryofbirth = South Africa
currentclub = Orlando Pirates
clubnumber = 23
position = Right-winger, striker
youthyears =
youthclubs = Orlando Pirates
years = 2003-
clubs = Orlando Pirates
caps(goals) = 92 (13)
nationalyears = 2005-
nationalteam = South Africa
nationalcaps(goals) = 5 (0)
pcupdate = June 1, 2007
ntupdate = June 1, 2007

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] .

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".

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.

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.