Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has delivered what could be worrisome news about Themba Zwane’s chances of going to the 2025 AFCON tournament.
The Mamelodi Sundowns captain has been battling against fitness issues that have kept him out of the national side since October 2024. He had also seen little action for the Brazilians since last season.
That has risked both his club and international career. The veteran midfielder has resumed training at Chloorkop but is not participating in the full schedule with the rest of the players.
With Bafana players expected to report for AFCON camp on December 8 ahead of the commencement of the AFCON tournament 13 days later, Zwane is racing against time.
For someone who has become injury-prone, that might be a small period for him to regain full fitness needed for high-intensity and taxing matches at the continental competition to be held in Morocco.
The 36-year-old is an experienced player Bafana call on, on the continent’s highest stage and he now faces the possibility of not making it to AFCON.
BROOS TALKS ABOUT ZWANE’S SITUATION
Broos has responded to the grim prospect of leaving Zwane behind.
“Themba is injured for a moment again. I don’t know if Themba will not play. In the first two weeks, I think we have to forget him, he didn’t play for all season,” said Broos.
“So I think for AFCON it will be very difficult for Themba, very difficult. But yes, I still hope for next year, but we will see.”
However, Zwane himself is adamant he will be fit to go to AFCON despite his injury issues.
Broos has been strict in his selection of players as he named his final squad to face Zambia in the upcoming international friendly match against Zambia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Belgian has sidelined Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana who has returned from injury to reclaim his Masandawana spot.
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