Mosimane defends Matuludi call-up as Maboe misses Bafana camp

Pitso Mosimane says he carried out extensive checks before selecting Thabang Matuludi for his first Bafana Bafana squad, despite the defender having not played competitively this season at the time of his call-up.

Mosimane is preparing for his second spell in charge of South Africa, with his first assignment a pair of important 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Bafana face Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday at 3pm before meeting Eritrea in Cairo on September 30.

Matuludi spent the opening weeks of the 2026-27 domestic campaign out of action at Polokwane City amid apparent contractual issues and interest from bigger clubs. He was announced as a Mamelodi Sundowns player on September 11, providing cover for long-term injured right-back Khuliso Mudau.

The 2026 World Cup squad member made his Sundowns debut in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Al-Ahli Saudi at Loftus Versfeld. He played until the 85th minute, when Siyanda Ndlovu replaced him, as Sundowns won the African-Asian-Pacific Cup and reached the semi-finals of the 2026 Intercontinental Cup.

Asked how he had assessed Matuludi while he was not playing, Mosimane said: “Sometimes you need to have a bit of a sangoma next to you to predict and tell you what to do. I knew somewhere somehow, someone would say, ‘Why are you picking a player who is not playing?’

“We have made our research, I have watched him. I know he has been training the whole pre-season, he has played a few friendly games in the pre-season.

“You and me don’t get involved in the other stuff that clubs do. The players belong to the clubs, we should respect the clubs. We should also respect the coaches.

“But a national team player is a national team player. And also the players must know that if they train and are doing things well, we are watching.

“We know what’s happening, we don’t just arrogantly choose a Matuludi because we want to put a Matuludi.”

Mosimane added that Matuludi had already been selected by predecessor Hugo Broos for the World Cup in North America in June and July, where South Africa were eliminated by co-hosts Canada in the last 32.

“He was already there I think we should give credit to the previous coach for having him there,” Mosimane said. “He played a cup final on Saturday. I think it was a decent performance, showing he’s a decent player.”

The coach said Matuludi would have to compete with Kamogelo Sebelebele, while stressing the importance of building depth in each position.

Meanwhile, midfielder Lebohang Maboe has been withdrawn from the squad after twisting an ankle during Kaizer Chiefs’ 0-0 draw with Lamontville Golden Arrows on Sunday. He will be replaced by Orlando Pirates midfielder Tshepang Moremi.

Bafana doctor Dr Tshepo Molobi said: “After undergoing a scan, he will be ruled out from the current camp and this Fifa window.”

South Africa have trained at the University of Johannesburg’s sports fields since Monday.