Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rhulani Mokwena said he is disappointed that Mothobi Mvala and Aubrey Modiba came back with injuries from Bafana Bafana.
Mokwena said this in a press conference after their Champions’ League group stages win over Nouadhibou of Mauritania.
Modiba played in 2023 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda where Mokwena said he played with pain while Mvala was only in action against Benin.
“I’m a bit disappointed because Modiba came back with an injury and I’m hearing that he already had pain, but he still had to play two 90 minutes on an artificial turf in Rwanda in the rain with a knee injury. So, we might have Modiba out for a little bit more time, and that affects us.
“Mothobi now also comes back from Bafana with an injury, so that also for me is a worry because I haven’t had Mothobi Mvala on the pitch today [for training],” said Mokwena.
Rulani Mokwena still upset with the injury Aubrey Modiba suffered with Bafana Bafana. pic.twitter.com/EIzziEUM4D
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) November 27, 2023
Speaking on the FIFA break, Coach Rulani said it is a very difficult one because it had World Cup qualifiers, particularly for Bafana and they came on the back of a hectic schedule for the Sundowns’ players.
“There was an overload. Even Hugo Broos mentioned it in one of his press conferences. And it’s also interesting for me because I get to watch our players play in different positions,” said Mokwena.
He added that while he lost some players due to injuries, they have also gained some like Lucas Ribeiro, Peter Shalulile and Sipho Mbule.
“We’ve tried to give the team some rest so they can spend some time with their families because they’ve been on the road for so long and also give some time to our medical department to continue to work,” said Mokwena.
