How Themba Zwane And Mamelodi Sundowns Are Taking Shoe Shine & Piano To The World Stage

Forbes

4 hours ago

When Themba Zwane steps onto the pitch to begin South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns' FIFA Club World Cup campaign, he won't just be representing the Pretoria-based club. He will be carrying the hopes of a continent and the pride of a club that has grown from a domestic powerhouse to a global competitor.
Zwane, is no stranger to the elite competition, having been part of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad that featured at the Club World Cup in 2016, following their historic CAF Champions League victory under then-coach Pitso Mosimane. However, this time, he returns older, wiser under the tutelage of Head Coach Miguel Cardoso, and with the captain's armband on his sleeve, a symbol of how far both he and the club have come.
'Obviously we are excited as a team,' Zwane shared with Forbes.com and other international media. 'We're going to represent Africa as a whole. It's the kind of experience every player dreams of, to go there, compete at a high level, and test how far you've come.'
Mamelodi Sundowns have been drawn into a fiercely competitive Group F, alongside South Korea's Ulsan HD, Brazilian giants Flamengo, and German Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund. This draw reflects the evolution of the tournament, which is no longer simply a coronation of European and South American champions but a genuine clash of footballing cultures from around the globe.
For Sundowns, this presents an opportunity to showcase their growth not only as a club but also as a symbol of African excellence. Over the past decade, they have solidified their status as a domestic powerhouse while also becoming a prominent presence in CAF inter-club competitions.
Their playing style is one of the most distinctive on the continent. Affectionately known as 'Shoe Shine and Piano,' Sundowns play a possession-based brand of football characterised by control, patience, and precision. Similar to Barcelona's tiki-taka or Manchester City's positional play, the Brazilians of South African football prioritize ball retention, building from the back, circulating the ball methodically, and waiting for the opportune moment to break through the opposition.
In the recently concluded season, they averaged 67% ball possession, often wearing down their opponents through a high volume of passes and movement. This style not only showcases tactical sophistication but also enables Sundowns to dictate the tempo of matches, reducing chaos and maximising their strengths in tight spaces.
Zwane embodies this philosophy; he remains calm under pressure, is intelligent in his positioning, and has the capability to change a game with a single touch. He is a leader forged through consistency rather than theatrics. 'Our confidence is high,' he asserts. 'So far, so good. We have prepared very well for the Club World Cup, and I believe we have enough depth and quality to compete in the tournament.'
That quiet confidence is well-earned. Despite their recent disappointment in the CAF Champions League Final, where they fell to Egyptian side Pyramids FC, Sundowns' campaign was marked by resilience and tactical maturity. Rather than diminishing their stature, the loss offered valuable lessons, particularly for a squad that has become accustomed to continental pressure.
What sets this iteration of Sundowns apart from the 2016 squad is the team's sustained exposure to top-tier African football. Over the past eight years, they've consistently reached the latter stages of the CAF Champions League, gaining invaluable experience. Several players have also featured for Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national team, which recently claimed a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and currently leads its FIFA World Cup qualification group.
This cross-pollination between club and country has bred a group of players who are not just technically capable, but mentally battle-hardened.
'It's exciting, you know, as a player to go into such a tournament,' Zwane says. 'You want to be in these games, to see how far you've come as a player, and to compete with the best.'
The allure of the Club World Cup is undeniable. For players, it offers a rare platform to measure themselves against clubs with some of the deepest talent pools and most sophisticated footballing infrastructures in the world. For clubs like Sundowns, it's a chance to gain visibility and alter the narrative around African football.
Zwane is aware of the stakes, and the responsibility.
'We've been watching them,' he says of Sundowns' upcoming opponents. 'We know they are good teams with good players. We respect them but we don't fear them. We'll go there, play our football, and try to match them in terms of quality and the pace of the game.'
That mindset, respect without intimidation, reflects the growing maturity of African clubs on the world stage. No longer content to simply participate, teams like Sundowns are arriving with the intention to compete and to win.
And beyond the tactical and technical elements, Zwane believes this moment carries symbolic power.
'We just give hope to other teams in Africa, that it's doable,' he says. 'Hopefully next time, we have more numbers going that side to represent Africans as a nation.'
His words are a rallying cry, not just for his teammates, but for clubs across the continent that have long fought for credibility in global football. Sundowns' return to the Club World Cup comes at a time when African talent is being increasingly recognised across Europe and the Americas, but club-level respect still lags behind.
With a seasoned coach, a data-driven football department, and a squad built for continental consistency, Sundowns have positioned themselves not just as South Africa's leading club, but as a model for how African teams can build long-term competitiveness. Their participation in the expanded Club World Cup format serves as both a reward and an opportunity.
For Zwane, this journey is also personal. At 34, he remains at the heart of Sundowns' midfield, a metronome with vision and composure. And while football is his profession, he is inspired by an unlikely source: NBA superstar Stephen Curry.
'In America, I only enjoy basketball,' he reveals. 'My favourite athlete is Steph Curry. I always watch him, and I follow his interviews. He's always positive, always working hard. It would be a pleasure to meet him, hopefully.'
With a balanced squad, tactical depth, and a captain who blends experience with humility, Mamelodi Sundowns are not arriving at the Club World Cup as mere participants. They are coming to compete. And for Zwane, who has seen the highs, lows, and evolution of this team, the return to the world stage feels like a mission renewed.
'It feels great,' he says, smiling. 'To be part of this journey again, it's an honour. We're ready.'