Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso explained why captain Themba Zwane did not feature in their 3-0 title-clinching win over Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium on Wednesday.
Cardoso stated he could not risk playing the 35-year-old on that particular pitch, especially as Zwane is slowly returning from a long-term Achilles injury, having been gradually reintroduced as a substitute in their last six games.
He added that Zwane, along with Aubrey Modiba who was also absent from the match day squad, was being kept safe as part of measures ahead of the CAF Champions League final.
Sundowns won 3-0, defeating the Chilli Boys to clinch their eighth league title in a row.
CARDOSO ON THEMBA ZWANE AND MODIBA’S ABSENCE
“Well, yesterday [referring to Tuesday], Chippa United were very kind to allow us to have a small training session here [Buffalo City Stadium]. It’s a beautiful stadium, and we had a training session because we travelled early in the morning,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV on iDiski Times.
“We also had the chance to understand that there’s a lot of sand on the pitch, which was visible to everybody. So, I decided not to risk Themba [Zwane]. You know Themba is coming back from an Achilles injury, which was quite severe.
“So, it can be very tricky for him to play on a pitch with these kinds of conditions. Such beautiful stadiums, I’m sure they will have a beautiful football ambience.
“It’s really important to protect the players in order to avoid injuries, and Themba had a particular situation where he is coming back from injury and is getting better and getting playing minutes.
“I believe he expected to find a way to play today [referring to Wednesday], for sure, but everybody has to understand that my job is to protect my players.”
