Mudau finally picked for Bafana squad

Mamelodi Sundowns’ flying right back Khuliso Mudau has been restored to the South Africa squad, named among the 23 players selected for this month’s friendly internationals against Eswatini and the Ivory Coast.

Mudau’s omission from Hugo Broos’s previous squad has been the source of much bemusement with Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena highlighting it several weeks ago as he praised Mudau’s contribution to his club’s all-conquering form.

Mudau is widely regarded as the best right back in the DStv Premiership but been studiously ignored by Broos.

But now Mudau has been chosen among the eight defenders for the two matches, which serve as a warm-up for November’s start of the World Cup qualifiers and January’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast.

🇿🇦⚽️squad for the two upcoming international friendly matches as they continue preparing for the 2024 AFCON @SAFA_net @10bet_ZA @LeCoqSportif_SA @CastleLagerSA pic.twitter.com/sYxCP6PR4H

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 5, 2023

There was also a surprise inclusion for Orlando Pirates’ left back Paseko Mako, who has been keeping usual Bafana first choice Innocent Maela out of the club line-up. Mako was not in the preliminary squad that Broos named last week.

Returning to the squad after missing last month’s friendlies against Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo is Njabulo Blom, who has helped St Louis City to win the Western Conference in Major League Soccer.

He is one of seven foreign-based players in the squad.

South Africa take on Eswatini on 13 October and the Ivory Coast four days later.

The venue for the match against the Swazis is yet to be announced while the game against the Ivorians is away just days after the draw for the Cup of Nations finals.

SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Paseka Mako (Orlando Pirates), Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport United) 

Midfielders: Njabulo Blom (St Louis City, USA), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sibongiseni Mthethwa (Kaizer Chiefs), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal), 

Forwards: Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Lebogang Mothiba (Racing Strasbourg, France), Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns).