Polokwane City coach backs Thabang Matuludi to make Bafana Bafana squad for 2026 World Cup

Polokwane City FC, Phuti Mohafe has backed defender Thabang Matuludi to make South Africa squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Speaking about Matuludi’s prospects, Mohafe praised the player’s dedication and humility, describing him as “the second best right back” in his view. “The boy is humble and he is working hard, and I’m still saying that according to my perception, he is the second best right back. I’m not surprised that coach Hugo Broos is continuously selecting him for the preliminary squads,” Mohafe said.

Despite missing out on the current national team camp ahead of friendlies against Panama, Matuludi has been a regular feature in Broos’ squads in recent years, including during South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco. The reasons for his absence from this week’s camp remain unclear, though his consistent performances at club level suggest he remains very much in contention.

Mohafe also highlighted the quality of those who came in for recent matches. “Those who came in for this match, they did their best and they played well. It’s just that we conceded and lost the match, but the boys did well,” he said, emphasizing that competition for places is fierce.

For Matuludi, the message is clear: maintaining his work ethic and consistency is key if he is to catch Broos’ eye once again. With the World Cup just a few months away, the defender will need to continue impressing at Polokwane City to secure a spot on the plane to the global spectacle.

As South Africa gears up for one of its biggest football moments, Matuludi’s club coach remains confident that the right-back has the talent, discipline, and mindset to represent Bafana Bafana on football’s grandest stage.