Herman Gibbs
In a surprising turn of events, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has appealed to divine forces, hoping to end the ongoing cold war between Mamelodi Sundowns and two of their standout players, Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena.
Following a resounding 5-0 victory over Congo, Broos expressed his hopes that both players could return to competitive football, a plea born from both frustration and concern for the national squad's future.
Despite the lack of game time for Mudau and Mokoena over the past month, Broos placed immense trust in their capabilities, highlighted by their stunning performances in the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Ivory Coast. On Friday night at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, the pair emerged as the backbone of an emphatic team display, demonstrating their readiness to contribute at the highest level.
Broos openly acknowledged the duo's exemplary effort on the pitch, stating, "I pray to God that at Sundowns they change their mind and that the guys get opportunities to play again."
This heartfelt declaration speaks to Broos’s faith in their abilities and the aspirations he holds for the national side.
During the match, Mudau and Mokoena did not merely participate; they commanded attention, earning accolades for their stellar performances. Mokoena, in particular, made headlines with an impressive display, scoring two crucial goals in a mere 15 minutes, which electrified the approximately 30 000-strong crowd.
His opener — a towering header that outmatched taller Congo defenders — followed by an absolute rocket of a half-volley, proved instrumental in solidifying Bafana’s biggest winning margin in history.
Historically, this 5-0 victory places Broos in a commendable light as it marks a significant achievement for the national team.
However, there’s a lingering shadow cast by a previous 5-0 win against Guatemala in 2010 — now infamous for being tainted by match-fixing allegations. Broos’s achievement now stands untarnished, but the controversy surrounding Sundowns coaching decisions raises critical questions for the future.
Broos had previously conceded to Sundowns' selection decisions, noting that as the national coach, interfering in club affairs was not within his jurisdiction. Yet, the continuous absence of Mudau and Mokoena from the club's line-up leads one to ponder the rationale behind this decision, especially as they recently displayed their match-winning mettle on the international stage.
When confronted about the reasons for their exclusion, Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has remained tight-lipped, merely asserting that no player is guaranteed a spot in the team. This ambiguity seems unfitting for players of Mudau's and Mokoena's calibre, who have proven time and again their ability to change the game.
As Mudau and Mokoena boarded the flight from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha to Brazzaville for their return clash at the Stade Alphonse-Massamba-Débat, Broos’s calls to Mngqithi seem more urgent than ever.
If the desire to keep these exceptional talents on the field exists, clearer communication and reconciliation between the parties could open avenues for their reintegration into Sundowns’ squad.