Lucky Lekgwathi questions Mngqithi’s decision to bench Sundowns star

Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi has questioned Manqoba Mngqithi’s decision to bench Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane.

Zwane has been used as a second-half substitute in the previous two Sundowns matches in the MTN8. The Brazilians opened their 2024/25 season with a 1-0 victory over Polokwane City, with the winning goal scored in the extra-time.

In the semi-final first-leg clash, Sundowns lost 1-0 against Stellenbosch FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium this past Wednesday.

Downs have undergone drastic changes in the coaching department following the departure of head coach Rulani Mokwena.

The former Orlando Pirates assistant coach left Sundowns after a reported fall-out with the club’s sporting director Flemming Berg.

After Mokwena’s exit at Sundowns, Mngqithi took over the coaching role with Romain Folz as his assistant coach while Steve Komphela is serving as the club’s senior coach.

The Tshwane-based side has seemingly struggled to hit the ground running in the new season, failing to find the back of the net within 90 minutes in their previous two encounters.

WHAT DID LUCKY LEKGWATHI SAY ABOUT THEMBA ZWANE?

With Zwane seeing limited game time under the guidance of Manqoba Mngqithi, Lekgwathi says the Bafana Bafana international must be given more playing time.

“This [benching Zwane] is working against Sundowns, you select a 35-year-old at Bafana Bafana and he doesn’t start in his team. It doesn’t make sense, I think they must stop coming up with excuses because I also passed that stage,” Lekgwathi told FARPost.

“So Mshishi is playing a big role at Sundowns, we know his success, and I think we must stop judging players by their age and judge them by their performance.

“Zwane is still having it even at the age of 35, he can run more than players who are younger, he dribbles more than youngsters, and, he can think more than many youngsters.

“So the coaches must not come with excuses, the boy still has a lot to offer and they must just swallow their pride and play Zwane.

“I mean they want to start their own thing and bench other players, this is like how Rulani Mokwena made Hlompho Mokwena to retire because he didn’t want to continue where Pitso [Mosimane] left off.”

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