Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has been left sweating over the fitness of midfield maestro Themba Zwane.
Zwane was stretchered off during the first half of Bafana Bafana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo on Tuesday, before South Africa went on to record a 1-1 draw.
The midfielder, featuring in his 51st game for the national team, was named in the starting XI and was having a good game until disaster struck.
Zwane went down in the 38th minute after passing the ball and appeared to be in pain, holding his Achilles, and he received treatment on the pitch before he was stretched off after which Patrick Maswanganyi replaced him.
Extent of Themba Zwane injury still not clear
While the extent of his injury has not been revealed, it did not look good and Mngqithi will be left feeling disappointed having carefully managed the minutes of the veteran midfielder.
The Sundowns coach has started Zwane in three matches, taking him out after an hour, while in some games, he has started him on the bench.
Mngqithi has been criticised from certain quarters for not playing the 34-year-old regularly but defended his decision, saying that was the only way to get the maximum out of him.
“It is very important to make sure we don’t burn our 34-year-old early in the season,” Mngqithi told the media last month.
What did Mngqithi say about Mshishi’s limited game time?
“It is very important and it is something that is going to happen until you start to look at it as a problem but there is no problem.
“He understands how many games we are going to play this season. If we go for 90 minutes with Themba every match at 34, how far will he go in the season?
“For me, it is very important to make sure that we take care of Sundowns and not your wishes and aspirations.”
Now, he will be hoping that Mshishi is not out for a long time since his creativity will be key to how they challenge on multiple fronts.
