Thapelo Mokobodi: Why red-hot Pirates star was overlooked by Bafana coach

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has lifted the lid on why he has not called up high-flying Orlando Pirates midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi.

Mokobodi has been in great form since signing for Pirates from Stellenbosch FC with the 23-year-old collecting three Man of the Match awards already this season from 14 games.

That includes against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby last Saturday when his two assists helped Pirates to a 2-1 win.

So far, he has three goals and four assists with his energy, vision and eye for goal making him indispensable for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Mosimane admits selection headache

“It is so difficult in the national team,” Mosimane admitted his selection headache after unveiling his squad to face Kenya on November 13 and 17.

“People think you just close your eyes and pick or pick your friend or say this is a coach who was at Mamelodi Sundowns now just picks [Siyanda] Ndlovu.

“So when I call [Brooklyn] Poggenpoel, anyone can say why Poggenpoel but who gave the pass to Shandre Campbell [against Egypt]? It is Poggenpoel.

“Now Teboho [Mokoena], [Bathusi] Aubass and [Thalente] Mbatha got injured and I said to Poggenpoel, thank you for coming in.”

Mokobodi in fine form but…

The Bafana coach then went into the tactical details that made him select Mbatha for the upcoming matches instead of his clubmate Mokobodi who is in fine form.

“There are other midfielders, another eight I don’t want to say the name, we cannot ignore him [Mokobodi] and he has been playing in the derby just to give you an idea,” he went on.

“He is an eight, top player…but it is not that I don’t see that, I also have to respect Thalente because he played in the World Cup.”

Why Mbatha is an asset for Bafana

Mosimane says Mbatha has something that Mokobdi does not have as he is an asset when defending or attacking a set-piece.

“And Thalente brings the other side of the game. Aerial strength; we have set-pieces. Who is going to help me on defending corner kicks and freekicks? Because they are part of the game,” he said.

South Africa will host Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena on July 13 before playing in Nairobi four days later.

Mosimane’s charges lead their qualification group for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with six points from two games, followed by Guinea, who have three, while Kenya and Eritrea have one apiece.