Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has hit back at Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos following the national mentor’s comments during the FIFA international break.
Broos publicly admitted that he feels sabotaged by certain Premier Soccer League clubs, as they have made it tricky when players need to join the national team.
Speaking after the final whistle in Kinshasa after 2 – 2 draw with AS Maniema Union, Mokwena rubbished any claims at prioritising club affairs to the detriment of the national team.
“It’s a very, very difficult situation with Bafana,” Mokwena said.
“We can’t even communicate with the medical department.
“We don’t know the itinerary of Bafana, we don’t know the training programme of Bafana.
“We don’t get training feedback in relation to the [player training] load, there’s no data.
“So the cooperation with the national team frustrates us a little bit. Because as Sundowns we are the first to always over the years shown willingness to support the nation.
“To support the cause and release as many personnel including support structures from Sundowns going to represent Bafana Bafana.”
Mokwena went on to criticise the fact that many players have returned back from international duty injured.
“In relation to the country’s cause, Sundowns has always put Bafana Bafana in certain moments in fact ahead of its own cause,” Mokwena added.
“It’s a bit disappointing that even in the previous camp Thapelo [Morena] returned injured. He’s not back yet and we’re still trying to get him back into the groove by giving him a couple of minutes today.
“Of course he has returned to fitness, returned to training and playing but at the moment he still isn’t in the right competitive shape to be ready.
Mokwena also went on to highlight the training methods of Broos and his technical team as a cause for the many injuries.
“It’s just disappointing that after the international break with the load, and then we just don’t get any form of response.
“Not just from the technical team, but also from the medical department, but it is what it is and the best is to focus what we can focus on and control what we control.