Manqoba Fires Back At Broos

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has hit back at Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who questioned why Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau are not playing regularly for the African giants.

Mngqithi admitted that there had been issues between him and the players, but they have now been resolved by both parties.

Broos, during the October FIFA break, expressed his dissatisfaction with both players’ lack of playing time at Sundowns.

He emphasized their importance to the national team, highlighting their key roles in Bafana Bafana’s bronze medal finish at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year.

Mokoena scored twice in Bafana Bafana’s 5-0 victory over Uganda in the AFCON qualifiers at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last week, and the team drew 1-1 in Congo’s return leg on Tuesday.

On Thursday, as Sundowns prepared to host Golden Arrows in the Carling Knockout Cup round of 16, Mngqithi responded to Broos’ criticism, stating that he does not question the coach’s player selections for the national team.

“Broos is just talking; he should manage his own house and allow me to manage mine,” said Mngqithi. “No one tells him who to play in his team, and I cannot be expected to be told by another coach who to play in mine.

“The truth is, we all know the quality of the players, and they are going to help us. We don’t have problems with them. We have resolved whatever minor issues we may have had, but each man for his own family. We must take care of our spaces. Nobody says anything when he plays eight defenders; we keep quiet because it’s his choice, and I respect him.

“I respect him as a coach and he has done well for the country. Everyone is excited he got the bronze. So, he should understand that we have a responsibility to manage our own squads, just like he is managing his own squad.

“I don’t have much to say in that space. The best thing that could ever happen is for him to call me or for us to have a call where we will talk about our situation because I never said ‘why you select that player and not select that player’ – I don’t expect another coach to do to me.

“Maybe administrators have a bit of a right to say that. But with the respect that I have for him, I’m sure he will give me a call and discuss these things as coaches. No one is bigger than anyone else; we are both coaches.”

Mngqithi confirmed that his captain, Themba Zwane, who suffered a serious injury during Tuesday’s game, will be out for four to six months.

Sundowns is hosting Arrows in the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16 at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday (18:00).