Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane has opened up over how former team-mate Sibusiso Vilakazi helped him overcome his career threatening injury.
Zwane returned to action last month after nearly seven months out, having suffered an Achilles injury while playing for Bafana Bafana last October, which needed surgery.
The 35-year-old went through a brutal recovery period that included a painful rehabilitation process but he is thankful that he had a close friend who has gone through the same to learn from.
‘Mshishi’ lauds ‘Vila’ for great help
“When I started this journey of recovery, it was difficult and obviously you [Vilakazi] are one of them that I was talking to and you helped me a lot my brother and I really appreciate,” Zwane said on SuperSport TV where Vilakazi was among the pundits for Sundowns’ PSL match against Stellenbosch on Sunday.
“Going forward, I want to push myself and push the team and I want to finish my career on the high,” he added.
Zwane then went into details over how his conversation with Vilakazi went about, revealing the lessons picked from the former midfielder, who similarly suffered a career-threatening injury while playing for Sundowns against Baroka in September 2020.
How did Vilakazi assist Zwane?
“You know Vila went through this situation before and when he called me and we started talking, he told me that these things happen, I just need to stay positive, follow the right protocol, do the recovery very well and stay positive and I really appreciate him,” said Mshishi.
Zwane’s return has come at a crucial time as Sundowns look to seal an eighth straight PSL title and they are also in the CAF Champions League final.
Coach Miguel Cardoso has been managing him carefully, opting to bring him on from the bench, since his return in a bid to get the maximum out of his immense talents.
Cardoso will hope to see the best of Zwane next season as the veteran midfielder recently signed a new one-year contract.
