Mosimane defends Matuludi selection after Sundowns debut

Pitso Mosimane says Thabang Matuludi’s selection for Bafana Bafana was based on his pre-season work and previous performances, despite the defender having played no official minutes this season when the call-up was confirmed.

Matuludi made his first appearance of the campaign on Saturday, debuting for Mamelodi Sundowns in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup. He played for 85 minutes before being substituted.

Before joining Sundowns, the defender had been involved in transfer-related issues at former club Polokwane City. Although available for selection, he was not used by the club.

Mosimane said he expected questions over the decision to include Matuludi in the national squad.

“I knew somewhere somehow somebody was going to say why are you picking a player who is not playing, right,” Mosimane said at a press conference.

“I have watched him and I know he has been training the whole pre-season. He has played a few friendly games in pre-season.”

The Bafana Bafana coach also urged greater respect for the decisions made by clubs and their managers, while stressing that national-team players continued to be monitored even when they were not appearing in competitive matches.

“You and me, don’t get involved in the other stuff that clubs do, the players belong to clubs, and we should respect the clubs,” he said.

“We should also respect the coaches at their respective teams, but a national team player is a national team player.

“It is important that the players must know that they train and they are doing things well and we are watching.”

Mosimane said selecting a player for international duty meant making a judgement before the public had seen the result, leaving coaches open to criticism if their decision did not work out.

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

“Unfortunately, as a coach, in our jobs you have to tell before, and mostly football, you guys tell after if he was right or wrong.

“If you are wrong, you will get the grill and if you are right that is why we are coaches.”

He added that he had researched Matuludi before taking charge of Bafana Bafana and had continued to monitor him.

“We do our research, I have followed Matuludi all the way ever since I have been given the opportunity to be able to be a Bafana coach I have researched everything and everywhere long before I signed the contract,” Mosimane said.

“I don’t want to be sounding smart here, Matuludi was at the World Cup.”

Mosimane also credited the previous Bafana Bafana coach for helping Matuludi establish himself in the team.

“The previous coach had him so I think we should give credit to the previous coach for helping him in the team,” he said.

Matuludi’s performance for Sundowns on Saturday strengthened Mosimane’s view that he deserved the opportunity, although he still faces competition for his position.

“He played a cup final on Saturday, and it was a decent performance to show that he is a decent player and needs to fight for the position,” Mosimane said.

“There is (Kamogelo) Sebelebele who is forever in the opponents’ last quarter with his overlaps and Matuludi is there.”