Hugo Broos a worried man as Bafana Bafana wait for Mothobi Mvala's scan results

By Velile Mnyandu
9th January 2024

Bafana Bafana’s preparations for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament have been dealt a huge blow, with the possibility that Mamelodi Sundowns reliable centre back Mothobi Mvala could be left behind when the team leaves for Ivory Coast on Thursday.

This was announced by Bafana head coach Hugo Broos in a press conference at the team’s hotel at the OR Tambo International Airport this afternoon.

Broos revealed that Mvala has been suffering from a groin injury and they are awaiting results from a scan before making further decisions.

READ: Percy Tau relishing the tussle against Al Ahly teammates at AFCON

"The biggest problem is Mothobi. So, Mothobi had again a groin injury. So, the doctor is now with him and we await a medical report. He's not sure that he goes with us to Ivory Coast after tomorrow," Broos said.

"So, we'll wait for the report and see how bad the injury is but I think we can take him with us and then the next 10 days he can't train. I think that is better than we take a new one. We are not so far at the moment but already we talked about it and I really hope that it's not so bad and that with a few days' rest, he's again with us and I can count on him for next Tuesday."

Broos is a big fan of Mvala, a non-nonsense defender, who has also been vital for Sundowns in the African Football League (AFL) and in the CAF Champions League. Against the physically strong and aerial advantaged Malians, a player like Mvala is going to be key, another reason why Broos is showing some concern.

"It can't make me happy when a guy like Mothobi, you know Mothobi is Mothobi. You can be against or you can be for him but one thing everyone has to admit when Mothobi plays, he plays for 150%. When Mothobi trains, he trains for 150%.

So, he's a guy you can always count on and certainly in a tournament like AFCON those guys sometimes are very important. So, I really hope that with a few days rest that he can train again and that he can go with us to AFCON. If it's not, then I will not take him with me then in four five days say, okay Mothobi then call someone."

Orlando Pirates centre-back Thapelo Xoki is the only defender in the list of four players on standby for Bafana Bafana and stands a good chance of receiving the call-up, should Mvala be declared not fit to travel by the medical team.