Mokwena questions Mudau’s Bafana exclusion

Khuliso Mudau’s constant exclusion from Bafana Bafana boggles Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena mind.

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Mudau has been overlooked in the past with national team coach Hugo Broos preferring Thapelo Morena and Nyiko Mobbie at right-back.

The 28-year-old’s last appearance for South Africa came in the 1-0 win against Botswana in a friendly match over a year ago.

Mudau is in Bafana’s preliminary squad for next month’s friendly matches against Eswatini and Ivory Coast. It remains to be seen if he will crack the nod the final squad.

Mokwena admitted to missing the reigning Premier Soccer League defender of season in the 2-1 over Kaizer Chiefs last Saturday because of suspension.

Mudau accumulated four yellow cards before the second leg of the semi-final encounter.

“Losing Sailor (Khuliso Mudau) was massive. He defence well, he’s got speed, power and attacks well,” Mokwena said ahead of Wednesday’s DStv Premiership game against Stellenbosch FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

“I heard Mark Gleeson in commentary in the last match against Orlando Pirates saying it boggles his mind that Sailor is not in the national team and I fully agree with him.

“I fully agree with you, he’s (Mudau) unbelievable, defender of the season and he’s a specimen. His qualities are unbelievable and he’s a little bit like Peter Shalulile on the physical make-up.”

Mokwena will also be boosted by the return of reliable defender Mothobi Mvala for the Stellies game. Mvala’s absence was visible in the win over Amakhosi with The Brazilians at times looking shaky in their buid-ups.

“Mothobi has become so important to us not only from a build-up perspective,” Mokwena said.

“His ability to find a pass from the next line and help us beat the press but his physicality on set-pieces and one-on-one sometimes to be brave defending against one striker with each centre-back but lets give credit to Musa Lebusa because I thought he did well.”

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The home team recorded a 3-0 win in this fixture last season while the return match ended in a 1-1 draw. However, Stellenbosch will take confidence from the fact that they recorded a 2-1 win over the defending league champions the last time the two sides met in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final.

Sundowns are chasing a new record 32 games unbeaten in the league. They will hold the longest unbeaten run in the local game if they avoid defeat against Steve Barker’s side. Masandawana broke Chiefs’ 18-year record of 31 games without defeat after last Wednesday’s narrow win over Orlando Pirates.