Bafana Bafana newcomer Elias Mokwana shares 2026 FIFA World Cup dream

Mokwana was speaking to the media upon the team’s arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning from Algeria, where they played the inaugural FIFA Series. 

In the two matches, the Sekhukhune attacker scored against Andorra and provided an assist against Algeria, and is now setting his sight on cracking a spot at the next World Cup in Canada, Mexico and United States of America.

"Yeah, I'm grateful. I think I did well, I helped the team to at least get a draw in both games. It shows there's something I'm doing well, and I just have to continue doing it, and improve where I need to improve," said Mokwena.

"I did envision [playing a World Cup], I always told my Mom that I always had a dream of winning a World Cup, so now I'm working on that dream – hopefully we will qualify for [2026]."

Mokwana, who was one of the four players on standby for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, looks back at the last two matches with satisfaction at having played with such a good bunch of experienced players.

"I'm excited, it was a really great camp where I played with a lot of experienced players and I learned a lot from them, and I was grateful to get one goal and one assist," he added.

"We played with most of the players [that went to AFCON] in the Algeria game, so yeah, it was a bit different to the PSL."

READ: Williams satisfied with Algeria trip and acknowledges mistakes