Piso Mosimane explains the selection of Tabanga Matuludi in the squad despite limited playing experience

Mamelodi Sundowns has officially announced the signing of Tabanga Matuludi. His addition to Deano van Rooyen and Huliso Mudau in the Chloorkop expands the club's defensive options ahead of the intense season.

The signing of Matuludi was announced by the club on Tuesday. He is intended to replace injured right-back Huliso Mudau, who is a key player for the national team. Matuludi's arrival came just days after 'The Brazilians' signed free agent Deano van Rooyen.

The club had previously shown significant interest in Matuludi following his impressive performances for Polokwane City. Having three top right-backs in the country gives coach Miguel Cardoso great confidence in defending the Betway Premiership title and competing on all continental fronts.

National Team Dilemma

However, his colleagues in the national team face a completely different problem. Pitso Mosimane may face a difficult task in squad selection when all three players are fully fit. Since only one of them can play regularly at the club level, the other two will likely feature in reserve or on the bench.

This sharply contrasts with the period when Mudau and Matuludi were simultaneously regular players at Sundowns and Polokwane City, respectively. The arrival of two elite right-backs in the same transfer window also sparked discussions about Sundowns' player recruitment strategy after the active transfer period.

Commenting on the club's transfer policy, Cardoso emphasized that player recruitment goes beyond his direct responsibilities, noting that Sundowns has a specialized scouting team responsible for finding suitable talent. While Cardoso is pleased with Matuludi's arrival, Mosimane may view accumulating national-level players as much more critical.

Bolshena Ramoreboli, who managed the Botswana national team during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, may play an important role as an assistant coach in the Bafana Bafana team.

Comments on Bafana

Pitso Mosimane realized that his new technical team at Bafana Bafana was missing one crucial element, and he has now found it in Moren Ramoreboli. When Mosimane was introduced as the Bafana coach last week, he confirmed the return of trusted staff members Kabelo Rangoaagi and Musi Matlaba to his technical structure.

However, there was one vacancy remaining. Mosimane made it clear that he still needed an assistant coach, and this position was filled by Ramoreboli, who left his post as head coach of Botswana to join the Bafana setup.

At first glance, this is just another coaching appointment. However, for Mosimane, this could be one of the most significant. Ramoreboli brings something entirely new to the technical team, which already consists of people whom Mosimane knows and trusts.

Experience as National Team Head Coach

He possesses recent experience managing a national team, having been responsible for Botswana, and his coaching career includes successes with 'Joanne Galaxy' and experience in continental football. These regional insights could be particularly valuable for Bafana as they prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.

Mosimane does not need an additional voice that simply agrees with him. He needs people around him who understand the African football landscape, are capable of quickly analyzing opponents and players, and are comfortable in the often unpredictable environment of international football. Ramoreboli has already done exactly that.

His appointment also marks a departure from Bafana's previous structure. Helman Mkhalele, who worked as an assistant to Hugo Broos since 2021, was not retained after the World Cup. Mosimane explained that coaches tend to bring along trusted members of their own technical teams.

Knowledge of the Bafana Environment

Thus, Ramoreboli is not just filling an open spot. He is becoming part of Mosimane's attempt to create an environment where the head coach has people who understand his football philosophy while also bringing their own experience. There is another aspect to his appointment. Ramoreboli is already familiar with the Bafana environment. He previously worked within the national team structure and has experience in South African football, but his time in Botswana gave him a different perspective on the game in the region.

This could be useful to Mosimane as he tries to build a Bafana team capable of consistently competing outside the borders of South Africa.

Little Time to Adapt Before AFCON Qualifiers

Time is extremely critical for this. Bafana is preparing for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea at the end of this month, meaning Mosimane's new technical team will have little time to settle in. Rangoaagi knows Mosimane's methods, Matlaba knows his analytical requirements, and Ramoreboli now brings experience as a head coach. This combination could make the new assistant much more than just another member of the staff.

Ultimately, Ramoreboli could become one of the most important parts of Mosimane's project in Bafana.