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Mudau reveals how he stays on top of his game with Morena on his heels

"Every time time I go inside a pitch, I want to learn."

Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Khuliso Mudau has revealed how he stays on top of his game with the highly-rated Thapelo Morena on his heels.

Mudau has been in great form since joining Sundowns ahead of the 2019/20 DStv Premiership season from struggling Black Leopards.

But with Morena also in the picture, Mudau knows that he cannot afford to rest on his laurels.

Morena, who is playing second fiddle to Mudau continues to give his best whenever given a chance to play.

Both players were named in Hugo Broos’ 35-man Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for the back-to-back AFCON qualifiers against Liberia later this month.

HOW MUDAU IS ALWAYS AT HIS BEST

“I just need to help the team first with everything that I can do. I have to make sure I’m doing very well when I get inside the pitch,” said Mudau.

Mudau’s transfer to the Tshwane giants was a big jump in his career. Leopards, his former club, always fought to survive relegation every season.

On the other hand, Sundowns competes for every trophy, including the CAF Champions League.

Mamelodi Sundowns right back Khuliso Mudau
Khuliso Mudau in action in the DStv Premiership. Picture by Mamelodi Sundowns

“I used to play for Black Leopards. It was tough. We were fighting for relegation that season. When you come to Mamelodi Sundowns, you have to play Champions League, Nedbank Cup, MTN8 and the league,” he added.

“The mentality is totally different; you need to adjust to those things. I think I did adjust a lot. Every time time I go inside a pitch, I want to learn. I want to make sure that I help the team.”

MUDAU ON COMPETITION WITH THAPELO MORENA

Mudau further opened up about the competition he’s facing from Morena. They are rated as the best right-backs in SA, giving coach Rulani Mokwena a selection headache on who starts for every match.

“He’s a good player, to be quite honest. I think everyone deserves to play at Sundowns, but the coach is the one who makes the choice on who plays,” said Mudau.

The 27-year-old has featured in 26 matches in all competitions for Sundowsns with one goal to his name.

Thapelo Morena in action for Mamelodi Sundowns
Thapelo Morena

Meanwhile, Morena has made the same number of appearances; mostly from the bench, scoring three goals and providing six assists.

Sundowns take on Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Saturday, 11 March, in a CAF Champions League group stage match and it remains to be seen who Mokwena will select to start at right-back

Kickoff at Loftus Versfeld Stadium is at 3pm.

The first encounter a fortnight ago in Egypt ended as a 2-2 draw as both teams couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes.

RELATED STORY: ‘I’d love to see more’: Rulani on 10 Sundowns players selected for Bafana Bafana

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