Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has once again left Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau out of the squad set to face Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Champions League clash.
Sundowns, 4-0 winners in the first-leg of the second preliminary round of the Champions League last week, host the Eswatini champions at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is 18h00.
This marks the third consecutive omission for the duo, who were also sidelined for the reverse fixture.
Even though they were declared fit and available, the two Bafana Bafana stars were also absent from Sundowns’ match day squad during their 2-0 victory against SuperSport United on Tuesday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
This move adds fuel to the speculation surrounding the players’ relationship with the new coach and the potential impact of Rulani Mokwena’s exit on team dynamics.
Mokoena and Mudau’s absence provide opportunities for other players to step up and stake their claim for regular spots in the Sundowns line-up.
The forthright 53-year-old coach on Tuesday clarified the rationale behind their exclusion from the Tshwane Derby.
MANQOBA MNQGITHI EXPLAINS HIS APPROACH TO MANAGING PLAYER SELECTIONS
He went on to draw upon his past experiences as a coach at Golden Arrows and AmaZulu to illustrate his approach to managing player selections.
“One thing you must know is that I am very capable of making decisive decisions; that’s one thing I’m good at,” Mngqithi told journalists.
“If you can check some of the top players that were respected in my previous clubs when I say I no longer feel you’re helping the club, I take that decision, and I move. And that helps me a lot.
“If you go back to Golden Arrows, you check what happened to Bheka Phakathi, what happened to Pere at AmaZulu FC, all these players that were influential in those teams,” explained the veteran coach.
“When I feel you’re not going to help the team at that point in time, I take the decision. But one thing is good: I am a very good human being, and I don’t keep grudges.
“When you’re ready to perform and give the team what it needs, I will always embrace you because I must be a bigger boy; I must be a father to these kids,” he added.
“These kids are looking up to their leader to make sure that he’s also fair to them. Just like in any family, there will be good moments, bad moments, punishments and rewards, there will be successes and failures.”
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