iDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye reckons Mamelodi Sundowns defensive duo of Keanu Cupido and Grant Kekana have done enough to be considered for the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad.
Khanye’s comments come after Sundowns’ crucial 1-0 win over Esperance de Tunis in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final tie in Tunisia on Sunday. Bryna Leon scored the only goal as the centre-backs kept the defence line solid although Kekana didn’t finish the game after being shown a red card towards the end of the game.
Kekana hasn’t been with the national team since before the last Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco while Cupido’s last time with the team was at the 2024 COSAFA tournament. Coach Hugo Broos has in recent times preferred Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane and Ime Okon at the back.
Khanye was impressed with how Cupido and Kekana dealt with and frustrated Tunis players Danho Florian and Ibrahim Keita on Sunday.
He added that the duo’s experience at the champions league level should not be ignored and that if he was the national team coach he’d take both to the World Cup.
“The two centre-backs Cupido and Kekana they did very well for me both of them are man of the match because psychologically in the second half they [Esperance] came with a game plan,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“Yeah, they were lucky not to concede, but I’ll be surprised if Hugo Broos doesn’t take the two of them [to the World Cup]. Even if he does leave Cupido behind, for me he’s a quality player.
“I know he’s come back from injury, but you can’t play international football away at Esperance this way and you are overlooked. I’d take Mbokazi and these two seriously.
“The two what they didn’t do right was ball watching and defending square, but when the ball is played behind them nobody knew which guy to go to.”
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