Doctor Khumalo: Reveals The Secret Behind Teboho Mokoena's Free-Kick Prowess

According to legendary South African footballer Doctor Khumalo, Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena is like a venomous snake when he strikes on the soccer pitch.

"When he hits you, you will be crippled. Those kinds of snakes, they don't make noise," Khumalo said of Mokoena. "At times you might think he is not on the field but when you can't see him, he strikes."

Mokoena demonstrated this with his stunning free-kick goal in Bafana Bafana's recent AFCON game against Morocco. The midfielder won a foul, lined up confidently over the ball, and bent a beautiful shot into the top corner to seal a famous victory.

Khumalo believes goals like that do not come by fluke. Mokoena's free-kick prowess is the product of what he does during his spare time when nobody is watching. The legendary Doctor recalls when Kaizer Motaung visited Manchester United and saw David Beckham alone practising free kicks long after his teammates had departed. He believes Mokoena puts in similar grit and repetition.

Doctor recon Mokoena puts in similar unseen extra work in his spare time. His free-kick expertise requires repetitions when the crowds and cameras have gone home

When Mokoena strikes, it is swift and silent, but backed by diligence.

Fans only glimpse the finished product when he bends a strike into the top corner, as against Morocco.

"What Tebogo did was not a fluke, it takes a lot of practice," Khumalo said.

Bafana Bafana has a game against Cape Verde on Saturday and will need to be wary of their opponent's tendency to score late critical goals. Against Ghana and Egypt recently in AFCON, Cape Verde left it late to grab equalizers after the 90th minute against Eqypt.

They play until the final whistle. They don't relax until the 'fat lady sings'. They have repeatedly shown they are fit enough to score very late in games.

While Cape Verde's defence has weaknesses that can be exploited, they are relentless in pouring numbers forward, even as legs tyre and the clock ticks on. Bafana Bafana must match their intensity and concentration for the full 90 minutes including extra time on Saturday. Any lapses in the dying moments could prove fatal to their qualification hopes.

All great players add this gritty, monotonous work to their natural talent. Mokoena's free-kick goal was a testament to these long hours of solo toil. His strikes may look silent and sudden, but they rest on a foundation that speaks to dedication.