Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to take place in the Ivory Coast. Image Source: (@BafanaBafana/Twitter)
Broos on why he initially doubted brilliant Mudau’s qualities
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits that he initially doubted Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau’s qualities.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to take place in the Ivory Coast. Image Source: (@BafanaBafana/Twitter)
In a twist of events, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos opens up on why he initially doubted defender Khuliso Mudau’s qualities.
Broos is seemingly conceding to pressure that Mudau deserves to be the number one right back for his Bafana side.
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This comes after the Belgian consistently preferred Sekhukhune United’s Nyiko Mobbie until recently when he selected Mudau as his preferred starter.
BROOS ON WHY HE INITIALLY DOUBTED MUDAUS’ QUALITIES
The former Cameroon mentor announced his 23-man squad that will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Benin.
After the announcement on Friday, Broos said Mudau’s qualities show he has evolved and developed as a defender and his offensive play is top-class.
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At the same time, the Sundowns star Mudau gave a stellar performance as Bafana drew 1-1 against Cote d’Ivoire in an international friendly in Abidjan last month.
The reigning DStv Premiership Defender of the Season neutralised a world-class winger Wilfried Zaha out of the game while providing an attacking threat of his own.
“When I came here (Broos took over as Bafana coach in May 2021) and I saw Mudau I was not happy and he was not with us. We preferred (Nyiko) Mobbie and (Thapelo) Morena,” said Broos.
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“But during the last six months, I have seen enormous progression in the way he has been playing.
“Now he is not only a right back who is offensively strong, he has learned a lot defensively. When I saw him play Zaha … there was a big difference in quality than when we saw him against France and Morocco.”
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BROOS COY ON STARTING MUDAU AGAINST BENIN IN DURBAN
Bafana will meet the Guepards of Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium on November 18 and it’s unclear who will start at right back, but there’s no doubt the Venda-speaking star has cemented his place.
“He is (now) a good right-sided defender and a good right-sided offensive defender,” adds the Bafana coach.
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“I don’t talk like this.”
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The 1996 African champions are set to meet Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium before facing Rwanda away from home on 21 November.
