Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admitted that Mothobi Mvala is not the best player in his squad, but revealed the key element that makes him reliable.
Mvala got criticised recently following his horrendous errors in Mamelodi Sundowns’ semi-final exit against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca.
However, Broos looked to have eased the pressure on Mvala by showering the tough-as-nails utility player with praise, while reminding everyone of his good qualifies.
Many had expected Broos to drop Mvala for the Morocco game. However, the Bafana coach showed faith in the player by boldly giving him a starting berth.
Mvala, making an appearance a few weeks after his 83rd-minute own-goal saw Sundowns get knocked out of the Champions League, repaid Broos by putting in a good shift against the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.
With Mvala at the heart of defence along with Siyanda Xulu, Bafana defied the odds by beating Morocco 2-1 in their final AFCON qualifier at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
HUGO BROOS ON MOTHOBI MVALA
“You can always count on Mothobi. He is a guy with a fantastic mentality,” said Broos.
“He is maybe not the best player in the team. But with such a mentality he is an example for everyone.
“I said before, he was playing in the midfield, and for me, it was a guy who I always counted on. And now he is playing in defence and he is just the same.
“You know what you have with him. So with Siyanda, it is a good couple there in defence and with the rest of the defence.
“But yes Mothobi is Mothobi, don’t ask from him technical fantastic things. But what a mentality, really a good example for all the players in the team,” added the Bafana coach.
RELATED STORY: Mvala avoids social media to focus on his game
