Mosimane clarifies Matuludi’s Bafana call-up

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Thabang Matuludi’s latest Bafana Bafana call-up was confirmed before he even played his first match of the season at club level.

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Mosimane clarifies Matuludi’s Bafana call-up

Sep 22, 2026 – 10:34 am
By Lovemore Moyo

Pitso Mosimane has explained why Thabang Matuludi’s call-up to the Bafana Bafana was confirmed before he had even played any official minutes this season.

Matuludi only played his first game on Saturday as he made his debut for Mamelodi Sundowns in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup lasting 85 minutes before he was replaced.

Prior to that he was caught up in transfer related issues from his previous employers Polokwane City where he wasn’t fielded despite being available for selection.

“I knew somewhere somehow somebody was going to say why are you picking a player who is not playing, right,” said Mosimane speaking during a press conference. “I have watched him and I know he has been training the whole pre-season.

“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.

“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 was equally blunt about the scrutiny that comes with being a national coach.

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

“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.

“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.

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

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

“That’s it and thanks to the boy 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.

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