Sekhukhune United coach Brandon Truter says the criticism on Bafana Bafana right-back Nyiko Mobbie is unjustified and insisted he has to be on the plane for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast next year.
Truter, though, admitted that initially when he was seeing Mobbie from afar while coaching other clubs, he had his doubts but now that he’s working with him he understands why Bafana coach Hugo Broos is continuously selecting him.
Mobbie was part of the Bafana squad that drew and beat Liberia home and away to book their spot in the AFCON finals last week, in the tournament that will take place in January and February next year.
When Mobbie wasn’t selected in the first of the double header games against Liberia at Orlando Stadium on Thursday last week, some fans were happy that he wasn’t part of the starting line-up.
However, Broos brought him back in the match away in what was a winner-takes-all and Mobbie was unflustered in his defending, giving Bafana a balance at the back.
“Being honest, being outside and not having worked with him before, I had my doubts,” said Truter after his side sat back to draw with Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium on Sunday.
“Now, working with the boy and being close up, working with him on a day-to-day basis, I fully understand Hugo Broos’ selection. Tactically, he put his head down and at the same time his tactical understanding, he follows instructions.
“He’s not afraid and technically, he can run the line well and now I know why it is justified call-ups from the national team. He’s a marvellous boy to work with on and off the field. But on the criticism front, it is underserved.”
Mobbie’s criticism comes at a point where Mamelodi Sundowns, who signed him from Free State Stars ahead of 2019/20 season, have loaned him out five times since.
He was loaned out once with Stellenbosch FC, twice with Chippa United, and now Sekhukhune United from last season to this term.
While he can’t get a look-in at Sundowns where he is behind Thapelo Morena and Khuliso Mudau, he’s ahead of them in the national team, leading Truter to have no doubt that he will be part of the AFCON finals squad early next year.
“Definitely AFCON for him and that was one of our topics,” said Truter.
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“We have Roderick Kabwe [Zambian captain now, who needs one point to qualify]. I encouraged the boys to put up a show because we would like to do very well at the AFCON.”
