Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Joseph Setlhodi insists Amakhosi’s defensive midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa deserves to play for Bafana Bafana.
The player known as “Ox” has been consistent for his club this season but with the likes of Siphephelo Sithole, Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas making up the midfield position, it looks unlikely that the Kaizer Chiefs star will crack the Bafana team.
Chiefs legend questions Mthethwa’s exclusion from Bafana
Amakhosi legend has questioned why Mthethwa was not part of Hugo Broos’ team.
“Mthethwa is a very good, hardworking player; he makes Kaizer Chiefs tick,” Setlhodi told KickOff.
“I cannot say he is underrated because football, we don’t view it the same way. Why is he not with Bafana Bafana? That’s a big question. The national team coach might not see what we see in the player. But personally, I believe he qualifies to be in the national team. “
Ox has been one of the best Chiefs players this season, alongside Mduduzi Shabalala, Thabiso Monyane and Mfundo Vilakazi.
Setlhodi has praised Mthethwa’s work rate, saying he has often gotten Chiefs out of danger.
“Mthethwa has brought so many things to the Kaizer Chiefs game. On the pitch, he is almost everywhere covering his teammates, especially where danger is. He is always the first one to spot it.
“He can easily make it easy for his teammates to get a goal. And most of all, he’s got the stamina. He is the only destroyer at Chiefs at the moment. That’s my opinion,” said the Amakhosi legend
With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicking off next month, it looks less likely that Mthethwa or any other Kaizer Chiefs player will be called up to the Bafana Bafana squad. Shabalala might be on standby, especially given the lack of ‘number 10s’ in the national team.