Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has revealed he was not told why club teammate Buhle Mkhwanazi was dropped in favour of Kaizer Chiefs defender Erick Mathoho for the 1-0 win over Sudan.

Bafana beat the Falcons of Jediane 1-0 in their second-round 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon to bounce back from the 2-0 loss to Ghana in their qualifying opener at the Cape Coast Stadium last Thursday evening.

Coach Molefi Ntseki made a number of changes from his lineup which started against Ghana, looking to freshen up his side after a taxing week of travelling.

One of the noticeable exclusions from the team was Hlatshwayo’s Bidvest Wits defensive partner Buhle Mkhwanazi, with the duo having played almost every game in recent times.

The Chiefs defender, though, stepped in with aplomb as he helped guide Bafana to a clean sheet. Post-game Hlatshwayo insisted that it doesn’t matter who plays as long as Bafana get the result.

‘For sure, everyone is important in the team. Whether I’m playing or not, or Buhle is not around; Thami is not around, as long as [the team does well],’ said Tyson.

‘It’s a country, it’s not a football club like Bidvest Wits, but we’re happy for “Tower” to have come in, even though the coach didn’t really explain why he took Buhle out.

‘But, like I said, it’s a country and everyone put their hands up [to get a place in the team].’