Themba Zwane: Will Mshishi be ready for AFCON 2025? Sundowns coach responds

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is taking a cautious approach when it comes to the recovery of Themba Zwane.

Zwane has been out since mid-September after suffering an ankle injury which struck just weeks after another setback and he faces a race against time to be fit for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Cardoso says Zwane is back in training on his own but he will not be rushed back although the club is doing everything possible to get him fully fit not just for the club but also for national team duties.

“If you ask my expectations and my wishes, my wish is that Themba will go [to AFCON 2025],” Cardoso said as per KickOff.

Cardoso on the need to be patient with Mshishi

“Obviously on being healthy and with the respect and love that we have for Themba Zwane we cannot wish anything more than health of the highest.

“He is not a youngster anymore despite that he has seen a lot of flame, pleasure and will to play football at the highest level,” the Sundowns coach said of the 36-year-old.

“That’s for sure what allows him to be a player that can perform. So, we need to bring him back to competition and from there open his possibilities for the national team,” he went on.

“That is what we will do here with the medical, performance, and technical department. On training, soon, let’s hope. We saw him training separately from the group which means he is still not available on the coach’s side.”

Sundowns keen to help Zwane win back Bafana spot

The Portuguese tactician has urged for patience from fans of Sundowns and Bafana Bafana over the recovery of Zwane who is among players that coach Hugo Broos had been relying on in the national team.

“He is not yet at the moment of returning to performance, he is doing physical activity to play football,” said Cardoso.

“One thing we need to understand is that Themba Zwane had an injury and then was followed up by a second one so we need to be very careful if we really want to give him conditions to play football this season and help Mamelodi Sundowns and after Bafana Bafana if the coach decides so.

“We need to be patient enough not to risk all but we take it to the limit so that we improve his condition to be available for us and Bafana Bafana and I repeat if the coach decides so.”