Bafana Bafana defender Khuliso Mudau has resumed training with Mamelodi Sundowns in preparation for their much anticpated Betway Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday.
The talented fullback trained with the rest of the squad at Chloorkop on Tuesday morning, signaling his imminent return to action.
Mudau had previously been absent from training, along with Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who is reportedly seeking a move away from the club. The 30-year-old is currently in contract negotiations with Sundowns, who have reportedly rejected offers for the South African international from clubs in North Africa.
The defender has missed Sundowns’ first six matches of the season, including their 4-0 MTN8 quarter-final win against Richards Bay FC, a 1-1 draw with Chippa United, two league wins, and both legs of the MTN8 semi-final against Orlando Pirates. The semi-final tie ended in a 2-2 aggregate draw, with Pirates winning on penalties on Saturday in Pretoria.
KHULISO MUDAU’S RETURN A BIG BOOST FOR BAFANA BAFANA
Sundowns exercised a one-year extension option on Mudau’s contract, but the Limpopo-born right-back was reportedly seeking an improved deal. The two parties are believed to be back at the negotiating table and “will soon find each other.”
His return to training is a massive boost for Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, who had named the defender in his preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in Bloemfontein next month.
In the next few days, Broos is expected to name his final squad to face Lesotho at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State, on Friday, 5 September. A few days later, Bafana will play Nigeria at the same venue on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. Both matches will kickoff at 18h00.
Mudau, who is Broos’s number one choice at right-back, had not played a competitive match for Sundowns in the new 2025/26 season. His inactivity was likely a concern for the Belgian coach, especially since the player, nicknamed ‘Sailor,’ featured in 35 games across all competitions for reigning South African champions last season.
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