Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena praised those players called up to their respective countries for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Among the 23 men in the South African squad, are ten from Mamelodi Sundowns namely Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Terrence Mashego, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Maseko and Thapelo Morena. This sees the Brazilians dominating the Bafana Bafana squad list.
Namibian-born striker, Peter Shalulile, also made it to the final squad list in the Namibian national team. Coach Rulani expressed his pride, lauding the selected players for their hard work that has seen them receiving recognition from their respective national teams.
“Firstly, I must congratulate the club because it means that we are recruiting the right talent. Secondly, I would like to give credit to the players because they have similar stories. Themba Zwane, for instance, had been written off by the coach. He didn’t go to the media and make a spectacle, instead, he allowed his performances to speak for him. Today he is one of the most important Bafana Bafana players,’ coach Rulani stated.
“With Khuliso Mudau, the coach was resisting to bring him into the Bafana Bafana squad, now he is in the national team. What I have learnt from Hugo Broos is that you can always change your mind and wise people change their minds. It is the performance that needs to speak for the players so that the coach can change his mind,” he continued.
Both Bafana Bafana and the Brave Warriors have been pitted against each other in Group E, together with Mali and Tunisia. The fixture between the two sides will see Peter Shalulile face his colleagues, which according to Coach Rulani, is not to be missed.
“I’m going to tell Ronwen to enjoy AFCON and the pressure that you have to carry as a favourite. I’m going to tell Mashego, Mudau, Mvala, Mshishi, Mokoena, Modiba, Morena and Maseko to enjoy AFCON. I’m going to tell Peter Shalulile to enjoy AFCON and I am waiting for the game on the 21st of January. I have already put it in my diary, that’s one game I can’t miss,” the Johannesburg-born tactician said, beaming with pride.
Both teams will play their first matches on the 16th of January. Namibia will be playing against Tunisia and South Africa against Mali. Furthermore, the two teams will meet on the 21st of January on matchday two.
