Hugo Broos' latest comments on Teboho Mokoena, following the midfielder's heroic display in Bafana Bafana's AFCON qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville that turned into a demolition job, have served as a clear message to Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
It is now public knowledge that Mokoena has not enjoyed much game-time at club level since the last national team camp in September, where South Africa played qualifier matches against Uganda and South Sudan.
When announcing his latest final 23-man squad, trimming it from a preliminary squad of 33 players, the Belgian took the opportunity to address the situation of the former SuperSport United star, along with that of Khuliso Mudau, who was also in the same boat as his teammate until recently.
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The latter was brought back from the 'deep freezer' at Chloorkop as a substitute in the recent Betway Premiership encounter against Kaizer Chiefs.
"Yes, that's a problem, huh? That's a problem," Broos said on SABC Sport.
"I don't think it will be a problem now, but if the situation keeps going on, then we have a problem with Teboho and we have a problem with Khuliso.
"On the other side, I have to respect the decisions of the coach there [at Sundowns]. Okay, he will have his reasons, but from my side, it's difficult to understand why a player like Teboho, why a player like Khuliso is not playing.
"They were some of the best players at AFCON. They had fantastic games for the national team and suddenly, for one or another reason, they are suddenly no longer good enough to play? That is difficult for me to accept," he continued.
If these comments were intended as fuel to the fire that is the situation that has had many a Sundowns fanatic looking on in bemusement, then the 72-year-old has gone on to pour more of the same.
"I know Teboho, it is more than two years now. I think he had his first selection when I became coach and the progression that Teboho made, let's say in the last two years, is enormous. He became a very, very good player," Broos told the media after the game at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday.
"I know maybe today he was extra motivated to show to his coach at Sundowns that it was not right to put him on the bench or not to select him. So, this is what I like, not words, no talking, just the performance.
"When I said two or a few days ago that I have to accept and respect that decision, but I can't agree, so I think today he proved why I can't agree that he's not playing at Sundowns. But okay, it's not our problem," he added.
"Also, Khuliso. I put all my confidence in those players because I know who they are, I know how good they are, how important they are for the team.
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"So, I just pray to God that maybe at Sundowns they change their mind and that the guys get opportunities to play again because if that situation stays for a long, I will have to make decisions that I don't like to make, and let's hope that doesn't happen.''
All the while, Mngqithi has kept his cool, not responding to the former Cameroon national team head coach, and with club football action back in full swing this weekend, it will be interesting to see if Mokoena is drafted back into the line-up as Sundowns tackle Golden Arrows in the Carling Knockout.