Teko Modise urges Mamelodi Sundowns to plan for life after Themba Zwane

Mamelodi Sundowns must identify Themba Zwane’s successor before the influential midfielder’s career comes to an end, according to club legend Teko Modise.

Zwane remains part of the Sundowns set-up, but his influence has reduced over the past two seasons as injuries and careful management of his workload have limited his appearances.

His league statistics reflect that decline. Zwane scored 11 goals in 25 Betway Premiership appearances during the 2019/20 season, before following that with 10 goals in 25 matches the next campaign.

His total then fell to seven goals in 25 appearances in 2021/22. He scored three times in 23 games the following season and four goals in 18 appearances in 2023/24.

Over the past two campaigns, Zwane’s involvement has been more restricted still. He scored one league goal in seven appearances in 2024/25, followed by another in 15 matches last season.

Those figures, however, do not fully capture the importance of a player who was arguably the most influential midfielder in South African football during his peak.

Modise believes Sundowns therefore need to prepare for the transition while Zwane is still within the club’s environment, rather than waiting for his retirement.

“You can’t wait for Themba Zwane to retire and then say we need to find a replacement,” the former Sundowns midfielder said on the latest edition of the CarWash Podcast.

“You need to find a replacement right now; we need to be able to play Mamelodi Sundowns without [him] and still be able to survive.”

Experience remains important

Modise said planning for the future should not involve simply replacing established players with younger members of the squad.

He argued that experienced footballers still have an important role to play in helping younger team-mates develop, particularly at a club where high standards and expectations are constant.

“You need to have senior players within the team who were able to carry and help the youngsters to develop, because it’s important when we were young,” Modise said.

“You need those experienced players who also understand that there’s a role I play on the field in helping the player to become better technically and tactically.”

With Miguel Cardoso continuing to reshape the Sundowns squad and younger players receiving more opportunities, the club must find the right balance between preparing for succession and retaining experience.

Zwane may no longer be the player who carried Sundowns through entire seasons, but his influence and achievements have established a significant benchmark for whoever eventually succeeds him.