Chiefs legend Doc Khumalo rues Mofokeng’s absence – ‘He is one of Bafana’s pillars’

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo rues the absence of Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng as Bafana Bafana face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in the forthcoming Group C World Cup qualifiers.

The 20-year-old pulled out of the competition after sustaining an injury in the Buccaneers Carling Knockout Round of 16 outing with Siwelele last weekend, a match the Soweto giants won by a solitary goal thanks to Mbekezeli Mbokazi's strike.

Mofokeng was replaced by the versatile Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala, who was also part of the Bafana Bafana squad that had previously played against Lesotho and Nigeria, respectively.

Playing without Mofokeng is a massive blow for the country, according to Khumalo.

We will go with Mdu but…

“I think it’s a big blow for Bafana Bafana, we really needed him [Mofokeng] for these two games,” he told Soccerzone on SABC Sport.

“Because he is one of the pillars in the national team. Also, he sacrifices a social factor in the squad, because they have been camping together; there is that continuation off the field. 

“But also, when he’s sitting on the bench, the one who’s playing in his position feels that if I don’t perform, Rele is there to play.

“Above that, the coach has alluded to the fact that Mdu is the right choice, and we will go with that,” Khumalo continued.

Bafana Bafana are currently second in Group C with 14 points, the same as Benin, who lead the pool owing to their healthy goal difference. Nigeria and Rwanda are three points off the race.