Mamelodi Sundowns given Themba Zwane warning – ‘Find a replacement now or…’

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Teko Modise has raised concerns about the long-term health of the club’s squad, emphasising the urgent need to plan for life after its veteran stars.

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder believes the club must start integrating the next generation of talent now, rather than waiting for key players to retire.

At the heart of the discussion is the team’s reliance on influential playmaker Themba Zwane, who is now 37. Speaking on the CarWash Podcast, Modise stressed that Sundowns cannot afford to be caught unprepared when the veteran eventually hangs up his boots.

“You can’t wait for Themba Zwane to retire and then say we need to find a replacement,” Modise stated, according to KickOff. “You need to find a replacement right now; we need to be able to play Mamelodi Sundowns without [him] and still be able to survive.”

Role of senior players at Sundowns

While advocating for new talent, Modise also acknowledged the crucial role that experienced players have in mentoring younger teammates, especially in a high-stakes environment like Sundowns.

The debate continues over whether the squad’s high average age is a weakness or a source of strength, particularly as the team competes in demanding tournaments like the CAF Champions League and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

“You need to have senior players within the team who are able to carry and help the youngsters to develop, because it’s important when we were young,” Modise explained.

“You need those experienced players who also understand that there’s a role I play on the field in helping the player to become better technically and tactically.”

Miguel Cardoso’s squad management

Since taking the helm, head coach Miguel Cardoso has begun reshaping the squad. The Portuguese mentor has worked to streamline the team by arranging loan deals and releasing fringe players, aiming to build a more balanced and cohesive unit.

This approach has started to open up pathways for younger players to gain more first-team minutes.

Despite these changes, the podcast panel agreed that the on-field wisdom and game management provided by seasoned professionals remain irreplaceable.

Adding to the conversation, Baroka midfielder Given Mashikinya argued that raw physical ability is not enough to succeed at the elite level. He believes that the experience possessed by players like Zwane allows them to influence games in ways that younger, less seasoned players cannot.

“For me, personally, I feel like prime is ability and experience,” Mashikinya said. “Because if you have an ability and you can’t really read the game, you can’t understand what’s happening, you don’t know the dynamics of the game, you are just naïve.”