Three Sundowns players dropped from Bafana, here’s why

Mamelodi Sundowns players will not always dominate the Bafana Bafana starting lineup. The new list has proven that.

HUGO BROSS DROPS THREE MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYERS

A new Bafana squad was announced on Monday. The Afcon 2023 group featured no less than 10 players from Kabo Yellow. The latest selection offers seven Sundowns players.

The team is set to take on European minnows Andorra and Algeria in two away friendlies. The first game, on 21 March, against Andorra, will be at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Anaba, Algeria.

The second match, on 24 March, will be against Algeria at the Stade Nelson Mandela in Algiers, Algeria.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United).

Defenders: Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana (all Sundowns), Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki (both Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania).

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Goodman Mosele (Chippa United), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Grant Margeman (SuperSport).

Forwards: Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Pirates), Khanyiso Mayo (Cape Town City), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Mlondi Mbanjwa (AmaZulu), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch), Elias Mokwana (Sekhukhune United).

The three Sundowns players who have been dropped are Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Maseko – all due to injuries after Afcon 2023.

INJURIES

Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena confirmed the injuries as mid-February.

“Some of it is not even by choice. I mean, Mothobi [Mvala] is out and will probably be out for six to eight weeks. Sailor [Mudau] is out, and he’ll be out for about six to eight weeks also with high-end Grade 3. We all saw when he got injured… he still played, which disappoints me a little bit,” Mokwena said via TimesLIVE after Sundowns players delivered a 6-0 win over NB Lamasia in the Nedbank Cup last 32.

Meanwhile, coach Mokwena will still have limited Sundowns players to choose from this week. The DStv Premiership champions have a cross-town derby coming.

The African Football League (AFL) champions will take on SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday evening. Kick-off is set for 19:30.

The last time Kabo Yellow lost a league game was against Matstantsa a Pitoli. The match was way back in September 2024. The champions have since gone on a remarkable 41-match unbeaten run in the league.

Can Bafana maintain the performance quality without Sundowns players like Mvala, Mudau and Maseko? Let us know in the comments section below.