The deep emotional attachment and historical past that Bafana Bafana hero Thapelo Morena shares with the folks of Free State pushed him to carry out at his utmost finest throughout a key 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier towards Zimbabwe.
Launched as a second-half substitute, Morena scored a brace as South Africa claimed an emphatic 3-1 victory over the neighbours on Tuesday at an electrical Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Iqraam Rayners scored the opposite Bafana objective inside the primary minute of the conflict whereas Zimbabwe’s equaliser got here from the thrilling teen Tawanda Chirewa instantly after within the second minute.
This was the primary time in 14 years that Bafana hosted a world fixture within the Free State province and the reception they acquired from supporters created a nostalgic second for Morena.
“I feel firstly coming into Bloem is one thing totally different, the sensation is superb, and I additionally informed the fellows that while you get to Bloem you’re going to have supporters,” mentioned Morena to the media after the sport.
“We simply needed to work very laborious and provides them a superb on the pitch.”
🅸🅲🆈🅼🅸
Bafana Bafana registered a 3⃣
1⃣ victory over Zimbabwe of their FIFA World Cup Qualifier match in Bloemfontein!#SABCSportFootball #2026WCQ pic.twitter.com/K7zAt2wZGK
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 12, 2024
The Randfontein-born star performed at the very least three years for Bloemfontein Celtic at Free State Stadium and Dr Molemela Stadium earlier than he secured a transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016.
“Ja, for me it was very emotional as a result of I performed right here and have plenty of historical past on this stadium and even on the Dr Molemela Stadium. So, I needed to (do) my stage finest to provide all the things they knew about me,” he mentioned.
Morena additionally spoke about how beginning on the bench by no means demoralised him however allowed him to check the sport, enabling him to excel within the position of being an impression participant.
“Just like the coach (Hugo Broos) mentioned, each participant is vital and even if you end up sitting on the bench you possibly can see the match otherwise as a result of you will have the aspect view.
“Clearly, you possibly can hear the directions from the coaches (to the gamers on the pitch).
“I feel a very powerful factor is to remain targeted and consider you’re going to get an opportunity to play, and also you’ll ship.”
𝕄𝔸ℕ 𝕆𝔽 𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕄𝔸𝕋ℂℍ
"𝘞𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭…"
Bafana Bafana defender Thapelo Morena!
3⃣
#SABCSportFootball #2026WCQ pic.twitter.com/Ga5qEKpqLM
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 11, 2024
