Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena celebrates after a scoring a penalty against the Czech Republic.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has taken Teboho Mokoena's costly suspension for their must-win Group A finale against South Korea next Thursday in his stride, insisting the midfielder's raw emotions and desire to perform simply got the better of him.
Mokoena received a yellow card — his second of the tournament — during South Africa's fighting 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic on Thursday, triggering an automatic one-match ban for the crucial clash in Monterrey.
Having scored the dramatic equaliser from the penalty spot and walked away with the Player of the Match accolade in Atlanta, Mokoena's enforced absence remains a severe blow to Broos' tactical plans. Bafana Bafana realistically require a victory against the South Koreans to guarantee safe passage to the knockout stages.
Mokoena had been visibly emotional before kick-off, with tears streaming down his face during the rendition of the South African national anthem. Speaking at his post-match press conference, Broos defended his talisman for receiving what he termed a "stupid yellow card", emphasizing that a young squad must learn from such disciplinary lapses at the highest level of international football.
