The motherly love for Khuliso Mudau as big AFCON moment beckons

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos announces his final squad for the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tomorrow and one of the first names to be added is that of on form Sundowns’ defender Mudau.

For a very long time, Mudau has had to play second or even third fiddle for this position, with Broos preferring Sekhukhune’s Nyiko Mobbie as the first choice. Mrs Mudau says the time has now come for her boy to shine on the international stage.

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"He's on fire, the reality of it is coming out. Everybody can see it. South Africa is happy about Khuliso and I'm so proud of him. The way he's playing, as a mother I'm behind him always. I say to the coach of the national team that he was not wrong by then but I believe the right time is now. Khuliso is gonna make us proud," Mudau said.

Mudau is a product of the Kay Motsepe schools 2024 champion Benny Academy in Limpopo together with his former teammate at Black Leopards and Sundowns and now at Orlando Pirates, Lesedi Kapinga.

Mrs Mudau says her 28-year-old son has come a long way.

"Yes, he's the product of Benny's care. I think he was still in primary school while he was in Benny's but now he's a big man. He wins trophies for us. I'm very proud of him as a mother. I say thank you to the yellow nation for upbringing my little boy, now he's a man," she added.

Recently, there have also been talks of Mudau being courted by overseas teams including English Premiership club Burnley FC, who already have Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster on their books.

Some clubs in the Saudi Pro League have also been mentioned and Mrs Mudau says it’s all in God’s hands.

“You know only time will tell, only God knows, about him going overseas, it's up to him and about God's plans, I can't tell you anything about that.”