Mamelodi Sundowns boss Cardoso insists Themba Zwane remains key despite limited game time

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

Zwane has also had difficulties with his fitness in recent times, but Cardoso believes the Bafana Bafana international can still make a decisive contribution whenever he is on the pitch.

The midfielder signed a new one-year contract with Sundowns three months ago. His only appearance so far this campaign came in the MTN8 Cup against Polokwane City, when he was introduced during the second half of a 3-2 victory 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 Zwane’s influence is not measured by his age, pointing instead to the experience and example he provides within the squad.

The Portuguese coach also highlighted what he described as Zwane’s “silent leadership”, as well as his approach to training and his commitment to the team.

“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 during his time with the club.

Despite his limited involvement at the start of the current campaign, Cardoso’s comments underline the value Sundowns place on the experienced midfielder, both for his ability on the ball and his influence away from match action.

It is not yet known whether Zwane will feature when the Tshwane club host Marumo Gallants in a league fixture at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30.