Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena is baffled by the previous omissions of defender Khuliso Mudau from the Bafana Bafana squad.
Mudau has consistently been overlooked by Hugo Broos in his previous Bafana squads despite being named the PSL Defender of the Season last season.
The 28-year-old has finally been included in Broos’ preliminary squad for the friendlies against Eswatini and Côte d’Ivoire after being absent from the squad that played Namibia and DR Congo earlier this month.
Mokwena, speaking after the MTN8 semifinal victory over Kaizer Chiefs in which Mudau was a notable absentee for picking up a fourth yellow card, questioned why the wingback has previously been ignored by the national team coach.
Champion of the Backline 🙌
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 28, 2023
Congratulations to our stellar defender Khuliso Mudau who has claimed Defender of the Season at the #PSLAwards2023 🏆#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/UWeVkOlMmj
“Losing ‘Sailor’ [Mudau] was huge. Sailor defends well, he’s got speed, power, he attacks well,” Mokwena said.
“I heard [SuperSport commentator] Mark Gleeson in the commentary for the previous match against Pirates [Downs’ 2-1 win on Wednesday] saying it boggles his mind that Sailor is not in the national team. I fully agree with him.
“[The PSL’s 2022-23] defender of the season. He’s a specimen, his qualities are unbelievable.”
