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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Mokoena won 2022/23 PSL POTY Award</li><li>Critics felt he did not deserve the crown</li><li>Mokwena responds after midfielder's Afcon display</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Did Mokoena leave critics with an egg on their faces? Mokwena adds salt to injury insisting midfielder's Afcon show silenced POTY biasness debate

Mokoena won the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/mamelodi-sundowns-win-big-at-psl-awards-orlando-pirates-pick-up-the-crumbs-as-mokwena-and-mokoena-bag-major-gongs/blt76ba77f91c5a3351" target="_blank">2022/23 Premier Soccer League's Player of the Year Award</a> after his exploits for Sundowns.However, some felt <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/ncikazi-adamant-orlando-pirates-saleng-should-have-won-poty-judges-should-show-us-why-mokoena-won/blt68c40835db0a2e3b" target="_blank">the midfielder did not deserve the accolade</a>, arguing some players had performed better.In the just concluded 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Mokoena excelled as Bafana Bafana won a Bronze medal. Masandawana coach Mokwena now feels vindicated, insisting critics have been silenced by the 27-year-old.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"I think now we can close the debate on Teboho Mokoena being Footballer of the Season," the 37-year-old told Radio2000."He showed his class with his performances at this Afcon. [Mokoena] was exceptional as always. He was incredible, just like [Themba] Zwane."[Aubrey] Modiba was an interesting one [too], going back to his old [left-back] position."

WHAT MOKWENA SAID

Mokwena hopes his players will not be affected by fatigue as he now works on achieving Sundowns' targets.Prior to Afcon, Masandawana had played the African Football League - which they won, Carling Knockout, MTN8, Caf Champions League and the ongoing PSL campaign.Club duties resume soon and it will be critical for the Brazilians' star players to deliver.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mokwena is now targeting the club's seventh successive league title and second Caf Champions League title.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/done-deals-confirmed-transfers-by-psl-clubs-in-2023-south-african-winter-transfer-window/bltad28b3b89ea4dce8" target="_blank">Downs have added four new players to the team</a>, including former Orlando Pirates attacker Thembinkosi Lorch, to increase their winning chances.

WHAT NEXT FOR MOKWENA & DOWNS?

Did Mokoena leave critics with an egg on their faces? Mokwena adds salt to injury insisting midfielder's Afcon show silenced POTY biasness debate | Goal.com

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena believes Teboho Mokoena&apos;s Afcon display underlined why he is PSL&apos;s reigning Player of the Year.

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