Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has slammed Bafana Bafana for Aubrey Modiba’s injury which he sustained while on national duty.
Modiba played 90 minutes in both FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Bafana Bafana against Benin and Rwanda.
The 28-year-old wing-back helped Hugo Broos’ men claim a 2-1 victory against Benin on the 18th of November at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
They went on to suffer a shock 2-0 defeat against Rwanda on the 21st of November at Huye Stadium.
Sundowns had seven players representing Bafana in the World Cup Qualifiers. Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena, and Aubrey Modiba were all in action for South Africa.
Meanwhile, the former SuperSport United winger has been crucial for Sundowns in the 2023/24 campaign. He featured in 17 games in all competitions, scoring three goals while contributing one assist.
The Chloorkop-based side has already won silverware this season after clinching the inaugural African Football League final against Wydad Casablanca a few weeks ago.
Rulani Mokwena has confirmed that Modiba came back from national duty carrying an injury.
The Soweto-born tactician expressed his disappointment in Bafana Bafana’s technical team for playing Modiba while carrying an injury.
RULANI MOKWENA EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT REGARDING AUBREY MODIBA INJURY
“This FIFA break is a very difficult one because it had World Cup qualifiers, particularly for Bafana and they came on the back of a hectic schedule for our players,” Mokwena said.
“There was an overload. Even Hugo Broos mentioned it in one of his press conferences. And it’s also interesting for me because I get to watch our players play in different positions.
“It’s nice to see Modiba play left-back for Bafana. I like it because for us he plays a different role, so it’s very interesting to see the adaptation.
“Sailor [Khuliso Mudau] plays a little bit of a different role, Teboho [Mokwena] also plays a double pivot with Sphephelo Sithole.
“I’m a bit disappointed because Modiba comes back with an injury and the information I get is that there was already the pain but he still had to play two 90 minutes on an artificial turf like that in Rwanda with the injury.
“And now we might have Modiba out for a little bit longer, Mothobi now also comes back from Bafana with an injury. So that for me is also worrying because I haven’t had Mothobi on the pitch today [at training].”
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