Posted in News on Apr 24, 2006.
He was introduced by coach Ernst Middendorp as a second half substitute replacing fellow midfielder Emanuel Ngobese, as Chiefs eventually ran out 2-1 victors against Silver Stars in Rustenburg.
Mooki’s entry into the game marked his 350th appearance for Chiefs since first making his debut for the club almost twelve years ago this month. Thabo added life to the Chiefs midfield and was part of the build up as Jimmy Tau scored almost immediately after the resumption of the second half, to give Chiefs the lead, which they held onto to eventually see off Silver Stars by two goals to one.
In all Thabo has made 312 starting appearances for Chiefs and has also made a further 38 appearances as a substitute, taking his tally to 350 games in all competitions.
Mooki, when congratulated on this truly historic occasion was taken aback and said, "I really did not know that today marked 350 games for me, it is a great honour to have played so many games and I hope I can play many more."
Thabo who made his 300th start for Chiefs earlier in the season, could have reached this tally of games earlier had he not had been sidelined by an injury he picked up in the middle of January.
Thabo who turns 32 later this year, by reaching three hundred and fifty games has overtaken Brian Baloyi, who had played 347 times for Chiefs in a thirteen-year spell with the club. For Thabo the challenge now will be to overtake Amakhosi legend Doctor Khumalo’s club record of over 400 appearances, which began in 1987 when he made his debut up until Doctor retired at the end of the 2001-2002 season.