Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has addressed the absence of Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau, revealing that the club has a lot of big players.
Bafana Bafana duo Mokoena and Mudau have been left out of the matchday squad in the past four matches of Sundowns in all competitions.
In the new season, the duo featured in the two-legged semi-final clash in the MTN8 against Stellenbosch FC where Masandawana were knocked out of the tournament a few weeks ago.
In the absence of Mokoena, Mngqithi has used Rivaldo Coetzee, Sphelele Mkhulise, Bathusi Aubaas, and Marcelo Allende in the holding midfield position.
Meanwhile, Thapelo Morena and Zuko Mdunyelwa have shared the responsibilities in the right-back position while Mudau is sidelined.
The two Bafana Bafana internationals were pivotal for Downs last season when they won the inaugural African Football League [AFL] and their seventh league title in a row.
In the previous campaign, Mokoena featured in 37 matches across all competitions while Mudau played 36 games.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI PROVIDES UPDATE ON MOKOENA AND MUDAU
Despite proving to be key players for both Sundowns and Bafana Bafana, the highly-rated stars have been starved for game-time, and Mngqithi revealed that his side has enough big players who are currently playing a big role in the team.
“I think Sundowns has got a lot of big players, and all big players are playing, and I’m happy with what they’ve offered thus far,” said Mngqithi.
When asked if Mudau and Mokoena will be available for selection in this coming Saturday’s mouth-watering clash against Kaizer Chiefs, the former Golden Arrows mentor said, “They are always part of the selection process.
“There’s no match where they were not part of the selection process. We just have to make those decisions sometimes. But they are there, they are competing and they are fit. So anything can happen.”
Sundowns will face Amakhosi at FNB Stadium in the Betway Premiership on Saturday, 28 September 2024. Kickoff is 15h00.
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