Themba Zwane Out for Two Months: Sundowns and Bafana Bafana Face Setback
Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Themba Zwane has suffered another cruel setback. Head coach Miguel Cardoso confirmed the midfielder will spend close to two months on the sidelines. The injury, sustained during last weekend’s MTN8 semi-final first leg against Orlando Pirates, leaves both the Brazilians and Bafana Bafana facing a period without their inspirational figure.
Zwane, affectionately known as Mshishi, was stretchered off after clutching his thigh during the 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium. The sight immediately raised concerns. Those fears were realized when Cardoso provided an update after Sundowns’ midweek league win over Magesi FC.
Cardoso delivers sobering news
Speaking after his side’s hard-fought 2-0 triumph in Seshego, Cardoso revealed the unfortunate timeline.
“Sadly, Themba will be out for around two months. The moment he got injured, both the club and the player himself started working to speed up the recovery. Hopefully, we can reduce that time, but realistically, he won’t be back soon,” the Sundowns boss told the media.
He emphasised the importance of the captain’s presence but insisted that the team must rally in his absence.
“Whenever a player is not 100 percent, it’s a big blow. But we must rise with the others. Themba will return stronger, and when he does, he’ll give us the boost we need.”
A challenging year for Mshishi
The 2025 campaign has already been difficult for Zwane. He missed large spells of last season through injury. He was absent from the CAF Champions League final, where Sundowns fell short against Egyptian giants Pyramids. His recent return to regular starts since the FIFA Club World Cup had given supporters hope that his struggles were behind him. Now, the captain faces another frustrating spell on the treatment table.
Sundowns’ MTN8 battle without their leader
Zwane’s absence comes at a crucial stage of Sundowns’ season. The club heads into the decisive second leg of the MTN8 semi-final against Pirates this weekend without their captain to call upon. His leadership and creative spark in midfield will be sorely missed. The Tshwane giants chase a place in the final.
Cardoso, however, has shown faith in the depth of his squad. He has made tactical adjustments and rotated heavily in recent fixtures. He also took the opportunity to salute striker Peter Shalulile. Shalulile equaled Siyabonga Nomvethe’s all-time PSL scoring record of 129 goals during the victory over Magesi.
Broos also left frustrated
The impact of Zwane’s setback is not limited to club level. National coach Hugo Broos will now be forced to plan for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Lesotho without the midfielder. With Bafana Bafana set to face two crucial fixtures in September, Zwane’s absence denies Broos a seasoned campaigner. Zwane often delivers in high-pressure encounters.
A test of depth and resilience
Sundowns have dealt with injuries before, but losing their captain at this stage places pressure on Cardoso’s tactical systems and squad depth. The likes of Marcelo Allende, Neo Maema, and Teboho Mokoena may need to step into more prominent roles. They aim to keep the team on track domestically and continentally.
For Zwane, the next two months will be about recovery and resilience. At 35, every injury layoff feels heavier. Still, his reputation for professionalism and determination suggests he will return with the same influence that has defined his career.
All eyes on the road to recovery
As the Brazilians prepare for a testing run of fixtures, supporters will hope their talisman’s recovery goes smoother than anticipated. With the club’s medical staff working tirelessly, the countdown to Zwane’s comeback has already begun. For now, Sundowns and Bafana Bafana must soldier on. They do so without one of the most decorated players in the modern era of South African football.
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