Rulani on 10 Sundowns players selected for Bafana 

Rulani Mokwena says he is not entirely pleased with only 10 Mamelodi Sundowns players selected in the 35-man Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for the AFCON qualifiers.

With Mamelodi Sundowns poised to lift their sixth successive title, Mokwena believes it is only logical to have more players in Bafana.

Mokwena has since made it clear that he would have loved to see more of his Sundowns players picked for the squad that will face Liberia in the back-to-back AFCON qualifiers later this month.

The first clash is scheduled for March 24 at Orlando Stadium, while the away fixture is four days later. Bafana assemble for camp on March 19.

Hugo Broos’ provisional squad is understandably dominated by Sundowns players, with in-form attacker Cassius Mailula leading the list of the Tshwane giants’ stars on the Bafana roster.

Other players include Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala, Sphelele Mkhulise, Themba Zwane and captain Teboho Mokoena.

However, the squad will be trimmed to 23 players when Bafana coach Broos announces his final list for the two encounters against Liberia.

RULANI ON THE 10 SUNDOWNS PLAYERS IN BAFANA SQUAD

“Congratulations, I think fully deserved. Am I surprised, no – because I think national team call-ups have to be merited,” said Rulani Mokwena.

“And like anything else in football, meritocracy probably becomes the most important principle. I think the nine [10] players, it could be 11, my opinion.

“I’d love to see more [Sundowns players]. But my opinion doesn’t count because I’ve got very little say in how the national team is composed if any say at all.

“So mine is just to congratulate the players and wish the national team all the best. Difficult fixtures ahead, of course.”

In stressing his point, Mokwena went as far as making reference to the Germany national team, which was dominated by Bayern Munich players, as well as the Spain squad, which had 12 Barcelona players in 2010.

Both nations were exceptional, with Germany winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a squad full of Bayern players. Spain were crowned 2010 World Cup champions, powered by Barca stars.

Mokwena, who has vowed that Sundowns will always throw their weight behind Bafana, insists that top performers must be selected at national level.

“I think you’ve seen Germany do it and succeed. You’ve seen Spain do it and succeed,” he added.

“And I don’t think there should be a problem with calling up nine [10] players from Mamelodi Sundowns, especially if the performance merited.

“It’s for the benefit of the nation, and mine is to wish them the best of luck and congratulate them.”

KHULISO MUDAU IN SUPPORT OF RULANI MOKWENA

In addition, Sundowns defender Mudau echoed a similar sentiment to that of his coach Rulani.

Mudau added that Sundowns players are hard-working and deserve to be in the Bafana set-up.

“As the coach said, every player that was selected deserves to be in the Bafana Bafana camp. Because everyone is working hard and ensuring that they help the team,” said Mudau.

“I think it’s a good thing that they chose 9 [10]. They could have chosen more. I don’t know.”

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