Former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs striker, Katlego Mphela, has offered his perspective on the situation involving Mamelodi Sundowns players Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena.
The two players have been notably absent from the Sundowns squad for the past four matches, raising questions about their role in the team.
Squad Rotation or Something More?
When asked about the absence of the two key players, Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi explained it as part of his strategy to rotate the squad.
While this is a common practice in football to manage player fatigue and give others a chance, Mphela sees potential concerns on the horizon, especially for the national team.
Impact on Bafana Bafana?
Mphela believes the lack of game time for Mudau and Mokoena could affect their performances for Bafana Bafana in the long term.
“It depends on who is available and the position in question,” he shared in an interview with Soccer Laduma.
He emphasized that while South Africa has plenty of in-form defenders, the situation could still be problematic, particularly for Mokoena’s position.
He highlighted that, while young players are stepping up, missing experienced players like Mokoena and Mudau could pose challenges.
“The coach can rotate them for one or two games, but if the results don’t go his way, it will be an issue,” Mphela warned.
National Team Selections: A Double-Edged Sword?
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos recently included both Mudau and Mokoena in his 33-man preliminary squad.
However, Mphela cautioned that their lack of game time at the club level might impact their performances for the national team if called upon.
He drew comparisons to international examples, like England’s Harry Maguire, who continues to be selected despite not playing regularly for his club.
“It’s common for coaches to have certain players they trust, but it could still be risky when those players aren’t getting enough minutes on the pitch,” Mphela said.
Players Need to Prove Themselves
Mphela’s final advice to Mokoena and Mudau is clear: they need to prove their worth to coach Manqoba Mngqithi if they want to get back into the squad.
He stressed that it’s crucial for the players to demonstrate their ability and hunger to compete at the highest level once again.
What happens next for these two players will undoubtedly be a storyline worth following, especially with the potential impact on both their club and national team careers.
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