Hugo Broos fumes over rumours of Mamelodi Sundowns injuries

Sundowns coach Mokwena on Sunday, after their 2-0 Nedbank Cup victory over Maritzburg United, bemoaned the absence of some of their key players who had been to the Africa Cup of Nations, including Williams and Mokoena.

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It was suggested the pair sat out due to shoulder and knee injuries respectively, though he wouldn't confirm if they were indeed unable to honour their Bafana call-ups, leaving Broos irritated with questions asked about the situation during a virtual media briefing from Bafana's base in Annaba, Algeria on Monday.

"Yes, okay, but if they are really injured, they have to inform us and not talk with the press, telling them that they [the players] are injured," said Broos.

"So I think we have a doctor, and they know the phone number of the doctor, so why don't they call us and tell us, 'Look, [the players] are not able,' and also give us a medical report? So they didn't do it, so that means they are fit."

The relationship between Mokwena and Broos is understood to be fractious, with the Belgian having recently likened the Downs mentor to God during interviews with the media in his native country.

Again he noted his dislike of the manner in which Mokwena communicated issues through the media, rather than directly with the national team, as per protocol.

"I'm very sorry. I can't go on on rumours and say that Coach Rulani, or maybe the technical director [Walter Steenbok], told me they are injured," he added.

"Give me a medical report, and then our doctor will decide if they are injured or not. I'm very sorry, but I don't like that kind of things of telling the press some things.

"They have to call us and tell us, 'Look, this is the problem with the player and this is the medical report.' They didn't do that, so, to me, they [Williams and Mokoena] are fit – final."