Williams Opens Up On Mokoena’s Saudi Links -“If You Score at the World Cup, People Know You”
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams believes Teboho Mokoena’s performances on the international stage could be behind the growing interest in the midfielder from Saudi Arabian clubs ahead of Saturday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup clash.
Sundowns will face Asian champions Al Ahli Saudi at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, with a place in the next stage of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup at stake.
Ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, Williams was asked about reports linking Mokoena with a possible move to Saudi Arabia. Several Saudi Arabian clubs are reportedly monitoring the midfielder, although the Sundowns vice-captain could not confirm whether there was genuine interest.
“Besides myself, obviously, Teboho Mokoena, and obviously, we’ve seen reports in the media that Saudi Arabian teams want him, and we don’t know if it’s true or not,” Williams said.
“So it shows that they’ve taken an interest in some of our players, which is good. It shows that the guys are doing well.
“And obviously, if you score at the World Cup, people will know you. Teboho scored at the World Cup. He scored at AFCON. He scored in all the big tournaments that we’ve played.
“So obviously, I’m sure they will keep an eye on him. And when they won their game as well, you could see their media.
“They started checking up on our players, and the player that they did mention was Mokoena, for obvious reasons, because of the goals that he has scored and the number of goals he scores from midfield.”
Mokoena joined Sundowns in 2022 from fellow Pretoria-based club SuperSport United and has established himself as one of the standout midfielders in South African football.
His performances have also earned domestic recognition, with the midfielder winning both the PSL Footballer of the Season and Midfielder of the Season awards.
The 29-year-old has also made a significant impact for Bafana Bafana on the international stage. At the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Mokoena was named in the tournament’s best XI after helping South Africa finish third and secure the bronze medal.
His reputation continued to grow at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he scored Bafana Bafana’s opening goal in their match against Czechia.
That international exposure, combined with his ability to contribute goals from midfield, could be among the factors attracting interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
