Cardoso backs ‘important’ Themba Zwane to remain central to Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says Themba “Mshishi” Zwane remains an important member of his squad, despite the 37-year-old having played only 19 minutes in the club’s three matches this season.

The veteran playmaker has also had difficulties with his fitness in recent weeks, but Cardoso insists Zwane’s value cannot be measured by his age or the amount of time he has spent on the pitch.

Zwane signed a new one-year contract with Sundowns three months ago. His only appearance this season came as a substitute in the MTN8 Cup against Polokwane City, when he was introduced for the final 19 minutes of a match Sundowns won 3-2 after extra time two weeks ago.

“Themba is a very important player for us. He is still an important player by what he can do on any pitch. You remember the first match he played in the MTN8 Cup [against Polokwane City, where they won 3-2 after extra time two weeks ago],” Cardoso said.

“He entered [in the last 19 minutes of the game], he picked the ball in the back, he made two or three combinations, and he progressed the ball together with other players. That combination created an assist for the goal.”

Cardoso said the contribution Zwane made in that match was evidence of the qualities he continues to offer the South African champions.

The coach also rejected the idea that Sundowns assess the Bafana Bafana playmaker primarily through the lens of his age. Instead, he praised the midfielder’s influence within the team and described his leadership as quiet but significant.

“So … having Themba in the squad, we look at him just as a number. Not, well, as a number like the others, but as a player that you cannot think about. Age is not that; age is not simply like that,” Cardoso said.

“But he is much more important than that. Exactly by the example of his silent leadership. For example, by the way he commits, by the way of everything he does on a regular basis because he trains wonderfully every day.

“Of course, I had a talk with him, but he is so big as a human being that it was not me calling him; it was him coming to me.”

Zwane has made 446 appearances for Sundowns, scoring 80 goals and providing 62 assists. Those figures underline his longstanding importance to the club, where he has established himself as one of the team’s most experienced players.

Cardoso’s comments suggest Zwane remains part of his plans, even though the midfielder’s involvement has been limited at the start of the campaign.

The next opportunity for Zwane to feature will come when Sundowns host Marumo Gallants in the league at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30.

It remains unclear whether the midfielder will be included in the matchday squad or given further time to recover, but Cardoso has made clear that Zwane’s role at Sundowns extends beyond his current number of minutes.