Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana veteran midfielder Themba Zwane has described an upcoming opponent as dirty as he prepares to return to the field.
Zwane, who has been sidelined with an injury, is close to making his comeback and is predicted to be ready to play by the end of November.
This news will likely be a relief to national team coach Hugo Broos, who has expressed his desire to have Zwane available for the AFCON. Zwane’s return is timely for Sundowns as they gear up for the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
They have been grouped with DRC’s FC Lupopo, Algerian side MC Alger, under Rulani Mokwena, and Sudan’s Al Hilal SC.
THEMBA ZWANE SAYS FC LUPOPO ARE DIRTY
Sundowns will host the Congolese side Lupopo in the opening match for Group C on 21 November in Pretoria. Lupopo advanced to the group stage after defeating Orlando Pirates in a penalty shootout. They had beaten the Buccaneers 3-0 at home before losing by a similar scoreline.
“We got an opportunity to watch them against Pirates,” Zwane said after the draw. “They are dirty and the tackles were flying, but they put in hard work.”
‘Mshishi’ said they were going to give themselves “more time to analyse them”. “We’re going to get time to analyse them so that we know where we can capitalise when we play against them. It’s going to be an exciting game to watch.”
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old, who last played for Sundowns in a Betway Premiership match against Magesi in September, revealed he’s now training without any pain.
“I’m feeling good, I’m alright and running without feeling any pain,” added Zwane. “Now I’m just doing more strengthening so that I can be stronger. I’m looking forward to being back on the pitch.”
He is confident that he will be ready for the AFCON tournament, scheduled to be held in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026.
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