Spain and Germany have previously won the FIFA World Cup with players from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, so Rulani Mokwena feels there would be no problem if Bafana Bafana were to do the same with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sundowns currently have the most representation in Hugo Broos' preliminary squad for Bafana Bafana's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia. The Belgian has included 10 players from Sundowns and is likely to have most of them included once he cuts the squad for the qualifiers.
READ: Bafana Announce Preliminary Squad For Qualifiers
The 10 players included in the squad are Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Morena, Sphelele Mkhulise, Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena and Cassius Mailula.
When Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, they had seven players from Bayern and all of them were regulars in the starting line-up. Four years earlier, when Spain won the title in South Africa, they had seven players from Barcelona in the 23-man squad. The only Barcelona player who was not a regular in the squad was Victor Valdez, who was the second-choice goalkeeper.
As Bafana prepare to take on Liberia later this month, Mokwena has pointed to the success of Spain and Germany in the past and appears to have suggested that it would make sense for Bafana Bafana to follow suit.
"Congratulations. It's fully deserved. Am I surprised? I wouldn't say I am, because I think national team call-ups have to be merited. And like anything in football, meritocracy probably because the most important principle and I think the guys who have been selected could be 10, could be 11 in my opinion. But my opinion does not count because I've got very little say in how the national team is composed. Mine is just to congratulate the players and wish the national team the best," Mokwena told media during a press conference at Chloorkop on Thursday.
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"Difficult fixtures ahead, of course, but I think we've seen Germany do it and succeed. We've Spain do it and succeed. I don't think there should be a problem calling up players from Sundowns, especially if the performance is merited and it's for the benefit of the nation. Mine is to wish them the best of luck and congratulate them."
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