Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained why he prefers Thapelo Morena over Khuliso Mudau for the right-back spot.
It’s clear that Broos has made up his mind about having Nyiko Mobbie as his first-choice right-back. This means he can only pick one between Mamelodi Sundowns defenders, Morena and Mudau for the second right back in the team.
The Belgian tactician has received fierce criticism for having overlooked Mudau on numerous occasions before. However, the former Cameroon mentor did the same when he announced the squad for the AFCON qualifier against Morocco on Thursday.
Broos says he opts to select Morena because he gives him different options. He recalled their last match against Liberia where he played him as a winger.
He admits Mudau is a ‘good right-back’ but according to the 2017 AFCON-winning coach, the former Black Leopards defender can’t offer what Morena can.
HUGO BROOS ON WHY HE PREFERS THAPELO MORENA THAN KHULISO MUDAU
“My choices are starting to be difficult and this is a good thing,” said Broos during the Bafana Bafana squad announcement.
“Because when you’re in front of the paper and you start writing. And you never get to think, ‘Will I have to take Nyiko [Mobbie] or Thapelo [Morena] or [Khuliso] Mudau?’. Then it’s not good.
“So, now I have to take a difficult decision as you said that he [Mudau] is a Defender of the Season.
“But I have said this about Nyiko already [why I prefer him]. And with Morena is not only a right-back, he can also play in the midfield, on the left and also as a right in front.
“So, this is a player that can play several positions. And then you say maybe he’s better than him [Mudau] because you never know, you saw what we did in Liberia.
“We put him in front, so with Mudau, you can’t do that. He is a right-back and is finished…but a good right-back. This is a choice you make.”
Meanwhile, Broos insisted that the Sekhukhune United defender, Mobbie has never “disappointed” him and that’s why he keeps on choosing him as the first-choice for the right-back position.
The match between SA and the Atlas Lions will take place on 17 June at the FNB Stadium at 17:00.
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