Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler has explained the reasoning behind signing Kamohelo Mokotjo ahead of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.

The 33-year-old midfielder joined from Sekhukhune United in a player-plus-cash deal that saw Relebogile Mokhouane move in the opposite direction, ending his three-year stint at City.

Mokotjo made a high-profile return to the South African top flight after a 14-year spell abroad, playing for Feyenoord FC, FC Twente, PEC Zwolle, Brentford, and a brief period with Cincinnati FC in Major League Soccer (MLS).

City endured a midfield injury crisis in the 2023/24 campaign, losing Brice Ambina and releasing Thato Mokeke due to a recurring injury. Tinkler explained that Mokotjo was brought in as a replacement due to their similar profiles. “Mokeke at the time we’ve got to remember that he had a long-term recurring injury. So, it didn’t make any sense to continue with Thato Mokeke, ” said Tinkler.  

“Bringing in his experience, Kamo [Mokotjo] played in Europe for several years at a high level. In terms of his leadership and charisma, I think he suited the club very well and he just becomes an added experienced player that we have next to Thami [Mkhize] and Darren Keet.”  

The 54-year-old coach expressed long-standing admiration for the former Bafana Bafana international, highlighting the significance of his signing. He credited assistant coach Lebogang Manyama for helping secure the deal. “They [experienced players] are there to help the younger players and I’ve been an admirer of his for quite a while, a long time, he was always a thorn every time we played Sekhukhune. So, having him on board is a massive gain and Lebo Manyama must take a lot of credit for that,” he said.  

Mokotjo could potentially make his City debut against Sekhukhune in the MTN8 quarterfinals at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (15:00). New signings Haashim Domingo and Fortune Makaringe are also in contention to feature, in the competition they have been knocked out in the past season in quarter final stages

Article by Trevor Magoro