Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns star Mothobi Mvala has sustained an injury ahead of the 2024 Carling Knockout Cup final.
Mvala was a notable absentee from Bafana’s starting line-up against South Sudan in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers at a packed DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday.
South Africa defeated South Sudan 3-0 to finish off the qualifying campaign at the summit of Group K with 14 points from six games.
In the match against Sudan, Iqraam Rayners, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Teboho Mokoena found the back of the net to ensure Bafana collected all three points.
The 1996 African champions booked a spot in the next AFCON showpiece in Morocco in 2025 with two games to spare. In the previous tournament, Bafana clinched a bronze medal at the Nations Cup in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Hugo Broos’ troops started the match with Siyabonga Ngezana and Rushwin Dortley in the centre-back position while Mvala was sidelined.
HUGO BROOS REVEALS THAT MOTHOBI MVALA FRACTURED HIS ARM
Speaking to SABC Sport in a pre-match interview, Broos revealed that Mvala fractured his arm, which is why he was not part of the team.
“We made few changes to the line-up, for example Mvala can’t play because he has a fracture on his arm and it’s impossible to play. For the rest, we gave the other players the chance to show something, and I’m sure that’s motivation.” Broos said.
The former Highlands Park defender recently returned from an injury setback that kept him out of the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Mvala could be a massive blow for Mamelodi Sundowns when they face Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup final at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, 23 November 2024.
However, the Brazilians have Grant Kekana, Mosa Lebusa, Malibongwe Khoza, and Rushine De Reuck as the defensive options.
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