Bafana Bafana right-back Khuliso Mudau has opened up on scoring his first goal for the national team during Bafana Bafana' 2-1 win over Benin in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Percy Tau opened the scoring just two minutes into the match before Mudau added a second on the stroke of half-time. The visitors pulled one back through Steve Mounie who scored in the 70th minute but could not find an equaliser.
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Speaking on SAFA media's Romy Titus on Monday, the defender expressed his delight over getting a first national team goal.
"The coach (Broos) did encourage me to go forward whenever I can, but I also need to think about my rest defence first because I am a defender first, I can't just go forward all the time, I need to mind my defence," Mudau said.
"As I said, I was very happy with the goal, I was just waiting for that moment and finally that moment came and I'm very happy that the moment came.
Prior to his recent call-up, Mudau had long been overlooked for national team selection, even after clinching the DStv Premiership Defender of the Season Award in the 22/23 campaign.
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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) November 18, 2023
Broos admitted said Mudau's recent improvement was the catalyst behind the change of mind to call up the Sundowns sprinter.
"I have to be honest, I doubted him (Mudau) let's say one year ago. For me, he was a good offensive right back, but defensively he was not what I wanted from a right back," Broos told Safa media.
"So he has progressed a lot now in the last six or seven months and when you see him play now, full of confidence, going to do his offensive job, but also doing his defensive job, So I think we have a very good player.
"He can help us not only as a right back but also as a right offensive player and this is something crucial in a team. When something everything is blocked, the guy from the back can dash forward and create the space and we can be dangerous."
Bafana take on Rwanda in their second 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier clash on Tuesday in Rwanda. Kick-off is at 15:00.
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