Themba Zwane has revealed he held discussions with Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso before committing his future to the club with a new contract.
The veteran midfielder penned an extension in April, putting an end to speculation about his future at Chloorkop. His previous deal was set to expire at the end of the PSL season in June 2025.
But before Zwane signed, negotiations had paused, reportedly due to Sundowns’ focus on the player’s recovery from an Achilles injury sustained last October. The club prioritised his full recovery and return to peak performance before finalising a new deal, ensuring his continued contribution at the Tshwane giants.
After captaining Sundowns to their eighth consecutive league title last Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Magesi FC, Zwane addressed concerns about his ability to reclaim a starting spot in the star-studded team.
These worries stemmed from Zwane’s age, as he’ll turn 36 later this year, and his injury history, despite his undeniable experience and talent.
THEMBA ZWANE REVEALS CRUCIAL CHAT WITH SUNDOWNS COACH CARDOSO
The Bafana Bafana international had a crucial conversation with coach Miguel Cardoso. This discussion, which took place upon Cardoso’s arrival at the club in December 2024, provided clarity and reassurance for the veteran midfielder.
‘I always stay positive, and when the coach arrived, I just tried to understand what he wanted from me because we had some chats when he arrived,” said Zwane.
“And he said to me; ‘We will wait for you to come back,’ and then we will decide where you are comfortable to play, and for me, it was more than enough to understand what he wants from me, and my job was to come back stronger and try to fight for the position in the team.”
Zwane made his competitive return at the end of April in a CAF Champions League tie against Al Ahly after a five-month injury layoff, sustained while on Bafana duty against Congo-Brazzaville.
The injury prompted questions about whether it was time for the decorated talisman to retire.
“To be honest, I haven’t set a time period for retirement,” he said. “As long as I still feel fresh, I still feel fit, I will keep on going because I still want to win more, I still want to represent the country, so I have to push myself.”
Zwane’s return further bolsters Sundowns’ depth and leadership as they pursue continental glory and prepare to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.
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