Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos feels Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena should communicate injuries with his medical staff, not the media.
BAFANA BAFANA’S HUGO BROOS UNHAPPY WITH RULANI MOKWENA
According to Mokwena, Broos has called up an injured Ronwen Wiliams, Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane. The Sundowns mentor revealed the report to the media this week. Broos responded to say Mokwena and Sundowns did not inform the Bafana medical team.
“If they (Sundowns’ players) are really injured, they have to inform us, not talk to the press. We have a doctor, they know the number of the doctor, so why not call us and say they are not able to come and give us a medical report?,” said Broos, as per the Citizen.
“They didn’t do that, which means they are fit … I expect the seven players of Sundowns in camp tonight (Tuesday).
“I heard some rumours and read something about Rulani saying his players are not fit, blah, blah, blah. Why is he talking to the press? Why don’t the medical staff of Sundowns make contact with us?” the Bafana boss added.
Mokwena previously expressed his displeasure with Bafana after Afcon. According to his statement in February, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Ronwen Williams and Themba Zwane returned with injuries after they were played while injured in Ivory Coast.
“Some of it is not even by choice. I mean Mothobi [Mvala] is out and will probably be out for six to eight weeks. Sailor [Mudau] is out and he’ll be out for about six to eight weeks also with high-end Grade 3. We all saw when he got injured… he still played which disappoints me a little bit,” Mokwena said in February.
“Ronza [Ronwen Williams] is struggling with a shoulder injury, so today we tried to rest him and give him some time. Mshishi [Themba Zwane] also got a niggle, so some of the players that came back from Bafana it’s not even about whether we want to give them a break or not. We just can’t use them at all because some returned back with serious injuries,” Mokwena added.
FULL SQUAD TO FACE ANDORRA AND ALGERIA
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United).
Defenders: Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana (all Sundowns), Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki (both Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania).
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Goodman Mosele (Chippa United), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Grant Margeman (SuperSport).
Forwards: Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Pirates), Khanyiso Mayo (Cape Town City), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Mlondi Mbanjwa (AmaZulu), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch), Elias Mokwana (Sekhukhune United).
Meanwhile, Sphephelo Sithole is injured, while Siyabonga Ngezana is unavailable due to travelling challenges from Romania. The duo have been replaced by Thabang Monare of Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United’s Siyanda Xulu.
Bafana will face Andorra on 21 March before Algeria on the 26th. Both friendly games will be played in Algeria.