AmaZulu FC head coach Pablo Franco Martin could have saved or cost goalkeeper Veli Mothwa a spot in the final Bafana Bafana squad set to play back-to-back AFCON qualifiers against Congo next month.
Mothwa's selection by Bafana coach Hugo Broos was criticized in the previous squad, especially after he got the nod to start the opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda, in the absence of Ronwen Williams.
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The 33-year-old made two glaring errors that led to two goals against The Cranes as Bafana almost lost but salvaged a 2-2 draw.
The main point of criticism was that Mothwa had not played a game prior to his selection, and he was eventually dropped against South Sudan, where Sipho Chaine was between the sticks as Bafana edged it 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.
Mothwa was entrusted with AmaZulu's opening league encounter against Polokwane City, but another handling error in the dying minutes by the Bafana goalkeeper led to City snatching the winner in a 2-1 victory.
Despite his woes in goal, Broos included him in his 32-man preliminary squad that will resume their AFCON qualifying schedule in back-to-back matches against Congo-Brazzaville on 11 and 18 October, alongside the return of Williams, Chaine and Ricardo Goss.
However, with Chiefs visiting AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday, Martin dropped Mothwa and the home side were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat, with all three goals scored in the first stanza, after the Spanish coach preferred Olwethu Mzimela in goal.
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Asked why Mothwa did not play against Amakhosi, Martin had this to say:
"Because Olwethu played today, he's a player who is part of our squad. He shares a position with Veli, he played for us many games last season, so we had the possibility to play him. All the players in the squad are working hard and they all deserve to have opportunities when the coaching staff thinks they have to get them."
Broos will have to drop one goalkeeper in his final 23-man squad by next week.