The wing-back conundrum at Mamelodi Sundowns has seemingly spilled over to Bafana Bafana after head coach Hugo Broos had to answer questions on why he left out Khuliso Mudau in the latest squad.
Mudau has been a regular right wing-back at Sundowns under the previous co-coaching arrangement of Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena. However, the former Black Leopards defender got some criticism for his final ball delivery, particularly in matches against Orlando Pirates.
After Mokwena was named the head coach following the restructuring, one of the notable changes that he made was to drop Mudau in favour of Thapelo Morena at right wing-back. Morena was instrumental in their revival after they thrashed Maritzburg United and Royal AM, with Mudau not starting both matches.
In the latest Bafana squad to play friendly matches Mozambique and Angola, Morena got the nod as a right wing-back alongside Sekhukhune United's Nyiko Mobbie, who was previously on the books of Sundowns.
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Broos, speaking at the SABC Studios after he announced the squad, says Mobbie has been more consistent than Mudau, that's why he's always in the Bafana squad.
"For me Mudau has dropped a little at Sundowns, he is not at the same level," the Belgian said.
"Mobbie never disappointed me, except the game against France and it was not only his fault, he was always between two players. No between three, because (Kylian) Mbappe counts for two and this guy really it was very difficult for him in that game and they killed him after the game saying, 'Ah this Mobbie he doesn't have the talent to play for Bafana Bafana'.
"Mobbie never disappointed me and that's why he's always with us," he added.
Sundowns coach Mngqithi has previously stated that he believes Mudau is "probably" the best right back in the country.
"He's (Mudau) probably one of the best fullbacks in the country, if I'm honest not talking because he's my player," Mngqithi told the media in a press conference last month.
"Mudau is one fullback that has got a dribble, he's a full back that has got a pass, a full back that is string aerially, a fullback that has got a cut back."
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However, Mngqithi also highlighted one area of Mudau's game that still needs polishing.
"I don't think he's terrible in the final third. The only area of his game that still needs a lot of attention is when he makes a decision to put a cross," he continued.
"His crossing ability still has a lot of question marks, but a lot of cut backs that he plays are always dangerous. He's got the right nerve in the final third, when he decides to go for a cut back which is more of a pass than just a cross," he added.
However, with Morena currently playing ahead of Mudau at Sundowns under Mokwena, it seems even the coaches at the Brazilians are divided on who should be their number one right back.
