Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has commented on Motjeka Madisha’s omission from the Bafana Bafana squad after his recent star performances for the Brazilians.

Molefi Ntseki recently named his 25-man Bafana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sao Tome e Principe in back-to-back fixtures.

However, all Caf and PSL fixtures have since been suspended in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mosimane refrained from criticising Ntseki’s omission of Madisha but has since rallied behind the Bafana coach as the South African national team look to qualify for the 2020 Afcon in Cameroon.

However, the absence of Madisha caught the eye of fans and pundits alike, after he had been consistently starring for Sundowns on the domestic and continental front.

Asked whether the 25-year-old had been psychologically affected, Mosimane defended that what matters most is the player performing on the big stages for his club, while stressing that he has no control over his national team selection.

‘It’s important we support Molefe as the national team coach; it’s important that we don’t pick his team,’ Mosimane told KickOff.

‘We are allowed to say what we want on the side and, I mean, I’m not the only coach who is rooting for his players, I think it’s fair enough, why not?

‘I think what was encouraging was Madisha picked up man of the match; what’s encouraging Madisha to deal with [Marwan] Mohsen, [Hussein] El Shahat – home and away – I mean, those guys are in the Egypt national team.

‘To be playing with players from Wydad, some of whom are in their [Moroccan] national team, and that’s important for him to do that – that’s the highest level in the continent; there’s no other [higher level].

‘So, he has done that for himself, and consistently for the last few years. If you want to make top five in the World Cup, you’re going to meet these guys and have to be able to play against them.

‘And you should have won at least a game against them before, and have that confidence in yourself, even for the country, to say, “I’ve done this thing, remember?” But if he’s not there, he’s not there, you know what I mean.’