Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has praised Khuliso Mudau and Mothobi Mvala for being willing to put their bodies on the line for the national team.

Mudau was an injury doubt ahead of Bafana's 1-1 draw with Nigeria, but featured the whole 90 minutes and hardly gave in-form Ademola Lookman a chance to shine.

The Mamelodi Sundowns right-back had picked up a shoulder injury in the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates, but also soldiered on in that game, with many expecting him to miss Bafana's game during the current window.

However, Mudau featured against Nigeria although showing signs of pain in some moments of the game – with Khumalo hailing his attitude to give his all for the country, similar to Mvala continuing to play with a head injury during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

"Yes, we might have lost Grant [Kekana] and maybe have some players with niggling injuries and all that," said Khumalo.

"But for them to be there, I strongly believe that they are players that have a big heart, that wanted to be there.

"I was worried when I saw Mudau having a problem with the shoulder against Pirates in the Nedbank Cup, but I was surprised he's part of the team against Nigeria.

"This is the kind of players that we need. We saw Mvala in the AFCON, playing with his head injured and taped but he was still heading the ball.

"Because national team you're like a soldier, you're carrying the hopes of the country. You need to protect the image, the flag of the country, the national anthem."

Bafana gear up for another daunting task when they welcome Zimbabwe to the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, June 11, for their fourth match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Doctor Khumalo hails Mudau, Mvala commitment to Bafana cause