Bafana Bafana's 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast restored hope for many South Africans about the team but there was another interesting debate that came with it.
As Hugo Broos' men delivered a much-improved display, the individual performance of Mamelodi Sundowns' Khuliso Mudau was among the hot topics.
In recent matches for Bafana, questions have been asked about Mudau's exclusions from the national as the hard-working Sekhukhune United right-back has been the first choice for the Belgian mentor.
Following his impressive performance in Abidjan, Mudau appears to have done well to justify the calls for his selection as many of his fans on social suggested after the match.
Former Sundowns defender, Phelelani Mpangase, has spoken exclusively to the Siya crew about the two players and their qualities.
The Good
"Firstly, I just want to appreciate how Bafana Bafana played yesterday against Ivory Coast who are a very big footballing country with a lot of experienced players some of whom are playing abroad. To be quite honest, we were surprised with how Bafana performed. They played good football and without any fear and I thought that was very good and maybe their performance was inspired by the latest victory of Amabhokobhoko on the weekend. Back to the topic, as coaches we are different in how we do things. For example, in most instances, Hugo Broos is not a coach that is always planning to initiate attacks from the back, and I think that style didn't suit Mudau. I think having Sundowns teammates in the line-up like (Teboho) Mokoena and Mshishi (Themba Zwane) who also played really well, helped Mudau," Mpangase has pointed out.
The Bad
"Mudau is one of the players who has been taught how to initiate attacks from the back even under very tight situations he's got a way of getting himself out to go forward. For player like that, at times mistakes can be made which can result in goals being conceded. For me, Mudau is tactically superior and more decisive and very calm than Nyiko Mobbie. Also, you must remember that when he was playing for Black Leopards, he was not always a full-back as he was a winger at some point," he said.
The Ugly
"With regards to Nyiko, as much as he is energetic going forward, most of his decisions in the final third aren't correct compared to Mudau whom you would predict that out of 10 one-on-one situations he would get nine right. He doesn't just clear the ball but he attempts to win it and from there he will make the team play. I think Nyiko has been getting the nod because of his energy and hard work. He is a hard worker and a player in the mould of Siyanda Xulu who for me is a player that is not tactically superior. But time is running out for defenders who are there only to defend and players these days should be able to have all the qualities," concluded Mpangase.
Who should be Bafana's first choice right-back for AFCON?
