Kamohelo Mokotjo

Kamohelo Mokotjo

Mokotjo with Feyenoord in 2012
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-03-11) 11 March 1991
Place of birth Kutloanong Location,Odendaalsrus, South Africa
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 FC Twente
Number 22
Youth career
SuperSport United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 SuperSport United 1 (0)
2009–2013 Feyenoord 35 (0)
2009–2010 → Excelsior (loan) 25 (1)
2013–2014 PEC Zwolle 27 (2)
2014– FC Twente 78 (3)
National team‡
2012– South Africa 6 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:32, 4 December 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:32, 4 December 2016 (UTC)

Kamohelo Mokotjo (born 11 March 1991) is a South African professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for FC Twente in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Early career

As a 12-year-old he captained South Africa's under-12 national team to victory in the 2003 Danone Nations Cup in France.[1] Mokotjo revealed that in order to be a footballer, he moved out his family home when he was twelve.[2]

Club career

Feyenoord

Mokotjo played one season for SuperSport United in his home country and made one appearance, coming on as a substitute for Shane Poggenpoel, in a 1-0 loss against Santos on 20 December 2008.[3] After making one appearance for SuperSport United, Mokotjo joined Feyenoord in the summer of 2009 and immediately went on loan to Excelsior.[4]

It wasn't until on 16 October 2009 for Mokotjo to make his Excelsior debut, coming on as a substitute in the 45th minutes, in a 3-0 win over PEC Zwolle.[5] In a match against De Graafschap on 20 November 2009, Mokotjo set up two goals, in a 2-1 win for Excelsior.[6] Mokotjo scored his first Excelsior goal on 26 February 2010, in a 2-1 win over De Graafschap.[7] At the end of the 2009-10 season, making thirty appearance and scoring once in all competition, Mokotjo helped the club promoted to Eredivisie for next season.[8]

After returning to Feyenoord in the summer of 2010, Mokotjo returned to the first team and was given number fifteen shirt.[9] It wasn't until on 22 September 2010 when he made his Feyenoord debut against Roda JC in the second round of the third round of KNVB Cup and the club went on to lose in the penalty shootout.[10] Four days later on 26 September 2010, Mokotjo made his league debut for the club, where he made his first start, in a 3-0 loss against NEC.[11] Despite suffering from a minor injury,[12] Mokotjo finished the 2010-11 season, making 15 appearance in all competition.

The 2011-12 season saw Mokotjo spent on the substitute bench at the start of the season and was sparingly used by Manager Ronald Koeman, prompting suggestion that he could leave the club for first team football.[13] Despite this, Mokotjo was determined to stay at the club and fight for his first team place.[14] In a rivalry match against Ajax on 29 January 2012, Mokotjo set up one of the four goals, in a 4-2 win.[15] His performance at the club saw him signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2014.[16] Despite suffering an injury as the 2011-12 season progressed,[17] Mokotjo finished the season, making twenty-five appearance in all competition.

In the 2012-13 season, Mokotjo struggled to remain his first team place and was left out of the squad by Manager Koeman, as well as, his own injury concern.[18][19] But the club's technical director Martin van Geel stated that Mokotjo needed time to develop at the club, though he could be sold if he doesn't develop well.[20] However in November, Mokotjo was among three players expected to be sold in the January transfer window, but it never happened and he stayed at the club throughout the season.[21] Despite this, Mokotjo made one appearance. coming on as a late substitute, this season against ADO Den Haag on 19 December 2012.[22]

PEC Zwolle

After three seasons in which he could not fully impress, Mokotjo signed with PEC Zwolle in the summer of 2013, signing a three-year contract with the club.[23]

Mokotjo made his PEC Zwolle debut, in the opening game of the season, making his first start for the club, in a 2-1 win against his former club, Feyernood and performed well that saw him being named Team of the Week by Algemeen Dagblad.[24] Mokotjo scored his first PEC Zwolle goal in the next game, in a 3-0 win over Hercales,[25] followed up scoring in the next game with a 5-1 win over NEC, as well as, setting up one of the five goals.[26] Despite suffering from injuries,[27][28] Mokotjo helped the club beat Ajax 5–1 in the KNVB Cup[29] and finished the season, making thirty-three appearance and scoring two times in all competitions. For his performance, Mokotjo was nominated for the Most Valuable Player of the Eredivisie.[30]

His performance at PEC Zwolle attracted interests from Ajax[31] While in the negotation, Mokotjo played his last PEC Zwolle match in the Johan Cruyff Shield and set up a goal for Stef Nijland to score the only goal in the game, giving PEC its first ever Supercup win and himself his second major trophy at the club.[32] Upon leaving the club, the club's technical director Gerard Nijkamp stated that Mokotjo will be missed by the club for his good impressive time he had made.[33]

Twente

After making his last appearance for PEC Zwolle, Mokotjo joined Twente for an undisclosed fee, believed to a record transfer, signing a four year contract on 8 August 2014 and was an immediate replacement for Quincy Promes, who left for Spartak Moscow.[34] Upon joining the club, Mokotko said he will always grateful to PEC Zwolle and that the move suited him.[35]

Shortly after joining the club, Mokotjo made his Twente debut in the opening game of the season, coming on as a substitute for Robbert Schilder in the second half, in a 1-1 draw against Cambuur.[36] Mokotjo scored in the next match on 16 August 2014, in a 1-1 draw against ADO Den Haag.[37] Mokotjo then provided four assists in four matches between on 21 September 2014 and 5 October 2014 against Heracles,[38] Utrecht[39] and AZ Alkmaar.[40] Mokotjo almost played every matches in the league but missed one match, due to injury.[41]

Ahead of the 2015-16 season, Mokotjo was in a negotiation with a move to England, joining Championship side Brentford in hopes of joining his team-mate, Andreas Bjelland.[42] However, the move was broken down after Mokotjo rejected the move and stayed at the club.[43] Mokotjo continued to established himself in the first team at the club and on 27 September 2015, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 2-1 win over Roda JC.[44] Due to the club's financial problem that affected this season, Mokotjo hinted his departure at Twente after commenting that he doesn't intend to stay at the club until his contract ran out.[45] Mokotjo appeared thirty-two times in all competition and scoring once, having missed three league matches, due to personal reason.[46][47]

In the 2016-17 season, Mokotjo was appointed as a new captain following the departure of Felipe Gutiérrez[48] and captained his first match in the opening game of the season, in a 1-0 loss against Excelsior.[49] Mokotjo then scored his first goal and set up one of the four goals, in a 4-1 win over ADO Den Haag on 17 September 2016.[50] In the next game, Mokotjo missed out to the selection over his fitness concern.[51]

International career

Mokotjo made his international debut in a friendly against Mozambique on 11 September 2012.[52] In November 2011, Mokotjo was called up by South Africa U23, but didn't go in order to concentrate on his club career, as it was revealed that the South Africa Football Federation didn't get permission from Feyernood for him.[53]

After a year absent of international football, Mokotjo was called up by the national team in August following his club's performance.[54] His return to the national side hope that he can established himself.[55]

Honours

Club

PEC Zwolle

References

  1. ↑ "'Tsetse Flies' in trophy feast". Daily Sun. 2003-09-09. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  2. ↑ "Mokotjo: 'Ben gewend om voor mezelf te zorgen'" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 25 September 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  3. ↑ "Santos surprise log leaders SuperSport". Supersport Official Website. 20 December 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "FEYENOORD TREKT KAMOHELO MOKOTJO AAN" (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 28 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  5. ↑ "DEBUUT KAMOHELO BIJ WINNEND EXCELSIOR" (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 16 October 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "Nederlaag zwak De Graafschap bij Excelsior" (in Dutch). De Gelderlander. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "De Graafschap steviger op kop" (in Dutch). De Volkskrant. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  8. ↑ "Excelsior promoveert naar eredivisie" (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 16 May 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  9. ↑ "Overzicht rugnummers seizoen 2010/2011" (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 25 June 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "MOKOTJO DEBUTEERT IN BEKERDUEL MET RODA JC" (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 22 September 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  11. ↑ "Feyenoord lijdt derde nederlaag in week tijd" (in Dutch). De Volksrant. 26 September 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  12. ↑ "Mokotjo en Leerdam lijken tijdig fit voor derby" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Feyenoord unconcerned by Mokotjo stance". Supersport. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "Koeman kiest Mokotjo als rechtsback" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  15. ↑ "Ajax verliest in kolkende Kuip (4-2)". AD.nl. 29 January 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  16. ↑ "Mokotjo langer in De Kuip". De Telegraaf. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  17. ↑ "Kortom - Fries debuut Nordfeldt, vrouw in bestuur UEFA". Voetbal International. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  18. ↑ "Mokotjo may go out on loan". Supersport Official Website. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  19. ↑ "Mokotjo: 'Guyon kan verrassing van dit seizoen worden'" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  20. ↑ "'Mokotjo krijgt ruimte zich te ontwikkelen bij Feyenoord'" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  21. ↑ "Feyenoord zet Fernandez en Mokotjo in de etalage" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  22. ↑ "Feyenoord pakt drie punten in verhit duel" (in Dutch). RTV Rijnmond. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  23. ↑ "PEC Zwolle strikt Mokotjo" (in Dutch). De Volkstrant. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  24. ↑ "Sterke ex-Feyenoorders, verse kers op de Groningse taart en Fryslân Boppe". AD.nl. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  25. ↑ "PEC trotse koploper na knappe zege bij zwak Heracles" (in Dutch). De Volkskrant. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  26. ↑ "Pastoor moet vrezen voor baan na derde pak slaag op rij" (in Dutch). De Volkskrant. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  27. ↑ "Uitblinkers voorlopig aan de kant bij PEC Zwolle" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  28. ↑ "Kortom - Meevaller Turan, Van Zaanen naar de VS" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  29. ↑ "Dutch Cup final: Fireworks hold up PEC Zwolle win". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  30. ↑ "'Speler van het jaar'-schaal voor Gutiérrez, Clasie of Mokotjo" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  31. ↑ "Ajax en PEC Zwolle in gesprek over drietal" (in Dutch). Voetbal Intenational. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  32. ↑ "PEC Zwolle wint tweede hoofdprijs in paar maanden tijd!" (in Dutch). PEC Zwolle. 3 August 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  33. ↑ "Zwolle 'will miss Mokotjo'". SuperSport Official Website. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  34. ↑ "Twente haalt Mokotjo met miljoenen voor Promes" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  35. ↑ "Mokotjo na recordtransfer: 'Ik ben PEC enorm dankbaar'" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  36. ↑ "Kleurloos Twente komt goed weg met punt bij Cambuur" (in Dutch). De Volkskrant. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  37. ↑ "Ook ADO Den Haag houdt FC Twente op gelijkspel" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  38. ↑ "FC Twente much stronger than winless Heracles" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 21 September 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  39. ↑ "Mokotjo boos op bondscoach" (in Dutch). De Telgraaf. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  40. ↑ "Vermakelijke strijd tussen AZ en Twente onbeslist" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  41. ↑ "FC Twente zonder Gutierrez, met Mokotjo en Castaignos" (in Dutch). Gelderlander. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  42. ↑ "Mokotjo van FC Twente naar Brentford" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  43. ↑ "TT: Twente verkoopt ook Bjelland, Celtic biedt op Haagse spits" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  44. ↑ "FC Twente wint door Ziyech, De Graafschap pakt punt" (in Dutch). De Volkskrant. 27 September 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  45. ↑ "Mokotjo stuurt aan op vertrek bij FC Twente" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  46. ↑ "FC Twente raakt gehuurde Agyepong kwijt" (in Dutch). AD.nl. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  47. ↑ "FC Twente mist Mokotjo bij bezoek aan De Graafschap" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  48. ↑ "Niet Mokotjo, maar Thesker nieuwe captain van FC Twente" (in Dutch). Voetbal Centraal. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  49. ↑ "Excelsior beloont zichzelf tegen Twente" (in Dutch). Goal.com. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  50. ↑ "Ruime zege op ADO Den Haag" (in Dutch). FC Twente. 17 September 2016. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  51. ↑ "Mokotjo ontbreekt tegen FC Utrecht" (in Dutch). FC Twente. 22 September 2016. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  52. ↑ "Kamohelo Mokotjo". Kickoff.com. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  53. ↑ "Koeman wil Mokotjo ondanks smeekbede niet afstaan" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  54. ↑ "Mokotjo verdient bij PEC oproep voor Zuid-Afrika" (in Dutch). Voetbal Intenational. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  55. ↑ "Mokotjo eyeing regular Bafana spot". Supersport Official Website. 6 January 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kamohelo Mokotjo.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.