Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has shared his thoughts on Themba Zwane’s lack of game time at Mamelodi Sundowns since his return from an injury.
Zwane spent four months on the sidelines due to an Achilles tear that required reparative surgery in October last year while on national duty with Bafana Bafana.
The 35-year-old returned to action in April for Mamelodi Sundowns against Richards Bay FC in the Betway Premiership late in April.
However since recovering from his injury, Zwane has only featured in a handful of matches, but it was his absence in both legs of the CAF Champions League final that caught many by surprise.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso’s decision not to use Zwane against Pyramids FC has been met with criticism from supporters and legends of the club. The Tshwane giants lost the final 3-2 on aggregate, after drawing 1-1 in the first-leg and suffering a 2-1 defeat in Cairo.
WHAT HUGO BROOS MAKES OF THEMBA ZWANE’S LACK OF GAME TIME
“I said it before; I think the injury with Themba is okay. But I have to see it. There must be a reason why he didn’t play so much football [for Sundowns],” said Broos in Polokwane ahead of Bafana’s international friendly match against Mozambique on Tuesday.
“But maybe he is physically not in order. I don’t know. But I think the coach knows what he does with Themba. He also knows his qualities and I think if Themba is ready to play a game, I am sure of it he will play. But again, I don’t know the situation.”
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS VETERAN THEMBA ZWANE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR BAFANA BAFANA WHEN HE IS READY
“I saw Themba two months ago when I visited Sundowns and I had a chat with the coach. At that moment, everything went well, but he was certainly not ready.
“We are two months later now, so I don’t know. But I am sure when Themba is ready, he will play games and certainly he will be ready to play for Bafana Bafana,” added Broos.
Meanwhile, Zwane played 12 games for Sundowns in the recently concluded 2024/25 season, including two in the CAF Champions League, as they secured their eighth consecutive league title.
Amidst speculation about his future, he recently penned a one-year contract extension at Sundowns, with his previous deal set to expire at the end of June.
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