Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has provided an injury update on the club’s veteran midfielder Themba Zwane.
Cardoso was speaking in a post-match interview following Masandawana’s 1-1 draw with AS FAR Rabat in their last group stage tie of the CAF Champions League. Both teams qualified for the quarter-finals. The game took place at Loftus Versfield Stadium in Tshwane on Sunday evening.
‘Mshishi’, as he is affectionately known, had to be carried off the pitch during the first half of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers match against Congo Brazzaville in October 2024. Hugo Broos‘ team ended in a 1-1 stalemate with Congo Brazzaville at Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat.
Following his injury assessment, it was confirmed that the 35-year-old suffered a partial Achilles tendon rupture, which will keep him sidelined for as long as six months following his surgery.
WHAT MIGUEL CARDOSO SAID ABOUT THEMBA ZWANE’S INJURY
Cardoso disclosed that Zwane has a lengthy journey ahead for his recovery, and they prefer not to exert pressure on his progress.
The coach further mentioned that they still need Zwane to recover soon because he isn’t only a key player for the Brazilians, but the South African national football team too.
“Themba is obviously not an important player for Sundowns only, but for South African football [national team]. However, there is no pressure on his recovery at all,” said Cardoso.
“He still has a lot of time to go. It’s a very bad injury and very severe. In this situation, we cannot put any pressure on him because it can make things worse.
“But he is recovering very well according to the programme, but there is still time to go.”
Sundowns will now shift their focus to the upcoming league game against Magesi FC on Wednesday, 22 January. The match will take place at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium with the kick-off set for 19:30.
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