Explained: Why Zwane didn't play for Sundowns in the final
A section of Mamelodi Sundowns supporters is up in arms. The group feel Themba Zwane was needed in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League final.
Mamelodi Sundowns feel like Saturday's draw was a defeat. Lucas Ribeiro's goal was cancelled out by Walid El Karti in stoppage time. According to most observers, the 35-year-old attacking maestro Zwane could have opened Pyramids' stubborn defence.
'We manage Themba Zwane like all the other players. Everybody wanted to be part of this match for sure,' Sundowns coach Cardoso said the post-match conference. Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium for Betway Premiership action. Image: SABC Sport
'The decisions we did was in order to keep the balance of the team. We thought [those] were the best ones.
'You know, it's very beautiful football or very ugly at the same time. One second or 10 seconds in the last minute of the game changed the way you all think about us and the decisions that we made,' the Sundowns tactician added.
In the meantime, Kabo Yellow will travel to Cairo for the second leg on Sunday at 19:00. Any score draw will make Pyramids the champions, while Sundowns will need at least one goal without conceding in order to become African champions for the second time since 2016.
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