Why Pitso Mosimane’s long-standing faith in Themba Zwane is backed by the numbers

Pitso Mosimane’s decision to select Themba Zwane for South Africa at the age of 37 is supported by a long and successful working relationship that began at Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Bafana Bafana head coach defended his choice after naming his final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, insisting that Zwane’s selection was based on more than their previous association at club level.

“You don’t just choose because you want to choose right? You don’t choose Themba Zwane, who is 38 [37], just because I want to choose Themba Zwane, because he was playing for me at Sundowns. I have a reason why I chose Themba Zwane,” Mosimane said.

The 62-year-old coach and the midfielder, known as ‘Mshishi’, have not always been inseparable at international level. Zwane was already part of the national team before Mosimane succeeded former coach Hugo Broos, who also retained faith in the Tembisa-born player when selecting the South African squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Their strongest connection, however, was formed during six prolific seasons together at Mamelodi Sundowns.

Zwane has made 450 appearances for Sundowns, with 227 of those matches – exactly 50% – coming while Mosimane was in charge. The coach played a significant role in the midfielder’s rise after Zwane returned from a loan spell at Mpumalanga Black Aces before the 2014/15 season.

Mosimane gave Zwane his opportunity in a star-studded Sundowns team, and the player became an important contributor during a period of sustained success for the club.

Together, they won four Betway Premiership titles, two Carling Knockout trophies, the CAF Champions League and the CAF Super Cup.

Four of Zwane’s nine league titles were secured during his time working under Mosimane. His influence was particularly clear in the 2019/20 campaign, when he won the PSL Footballer of the Season award in what proved to be his final season under the coach.

Despite their extensive club success, Mosimane and Zwane did not work together during the coach’s first spell in charge of Bafana Bafana.

Zwane made his international debut in May 2014 under former coach Gordon Igesund, two years after Igesund had been relieved of his duties. That meant the experienced midfielder was already established in the national set-up before Mosimane later returned to lead South Africa.

The statistics from their time at Sundowns nevertheless help explain why Mosimane continues to trust Zwane, even as questions can arise over selecting a veteran player. Their shared record includes a substantial proportion of the midfielder’s club career and several of the team’s most significant honours.