Cape Town - Cape Town City’s phenomenal arrival as a PSL club has been anchored by a stoic commitment to team work, backed by the contribution of a few gifted individuals.
The spotlight has regularly hovered over the standout performances of captain Lebogang Manyama, Aubrey Ngoma and Austrian Roland Putsche - but, as in any successful football team, there are players toiling in the background, away from the glare of the spotlight.
And it’s their hard work and dedication that allow the creative sparks to blossom, and drive the rest of the squad to realise its potential.
For City, such an unsung hero is Thato Mokeke, the versatile marvel who hardly ever has a bad game.
On Saturday night, City are back in action when they host Orlando Pirates in a PSL fixture at the Cape Town Stadium (kick-off 8.15pm) - and, no doubt, Mokeke will again be right there, grinding away, ensuring that his team gains superiority in the middle of the park.
Irrespective of where he plays, Mokeke gives off his best. This season, City coach Eric Tinkler has used the player at left-back, centre-back and in central midfield, and the hard-working, humble Capetonian has never disappointed.
He’s given 100 percent for the cause - and it’s on the back of the sweat and unselfish dedication of a player like Mokeke that City are where they are.
Born in Cape Town, Mokeke went to Pretoria at an early age, where he was hoping to break through at SuperSport United. It was, however, in the Mother City that his big opportunity came along - he signed for Ajax Cape Town in 2010, where his growing maturity eventually saw SuperSport sign him back in 2014.
This season, with SuperSport desperate to capture rising City left-back Aubrey Modiba, they offered the Cape club Mokeke as a carrot, in addition to a sizeable transfer fee.
The Capetonians accepted - and there are many who would suggest that City got the better of the deal. That’s how good Mokeke has been since arriving back in the Mother City.
With City having recently signed Mozambican left-back Edmilson, it looks likely that Mokeke will be permanently drafted into midfield for the rest of the season. And, for him, it doesn’t really matter, he just wants to play.
“I really don’t mind playing in midfield, left-back or centre-back,” he said.
“I don’t prefer one position over the others, because I would always do what’s best for the team. I’ve been playing in midfield in the last few games, so I am happy to be playing there.
“When I came to City, I knew this team would go places because it has all the ingredients to achieve the goals set out by coach (Tinkler) and the boss (John Comitis).
“I saw the squad grow into more than just a team. The guys all stick together, we live as a family. That has transformed the team and is the reason for our good form. We didn’t expect all this so soon, but as long as we keep going on this path, we will continue doing well.”
As for Pirates tonight, Mokeke is not focusing on the Soweto club’s poor recent form. He knows it means nothing. "Pirates are Pirates, and they’ll always be a great club. We prepare for every team the same way,” said the 26-year-old.
“We can’t look at recent results because we know they have the quality to turn things around at any moment. We will respect them, but we will go all out to get three points and continue our momentum.”