Cardoso remains silent on Zwane snub as Mamelodi Sundowns eye Club World Cup redemption
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso found it hard to explain Themba Zwane's CAF Champions League final snub after losing to Pyramids on Sunday night. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
It was the question on every South African football fan's lips — where was Themba Zwane?
As Mamelodi Sundowns battled Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League final, the veteran midfielder and club legend remained anchored to the bench, his boots untouched, his presence silent.
In a match of such magnitude, the absence of one of Sundowns' most influential figures sparked immediate speculation and a flurry of questions — none of which head coach Miguel Cardoso seemed willing to answer following their' 3–2 aggregate defeat to the Egyptian club.
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Zwane, a stalwart in Sundowns' history and a pivotal figure in their 2016 Champions League title-winning campaign, remained an unused substitute throughout the decisive matches.
During Sunday's post-match press conference Cardoso was pressed for clarity regarding the absence of Zwane. The Portuguese tactician, however, offered only a vague response, hinting at the need for midfield balance and a strategic approach to the game.
'I understand what you are looking for, but now is not the time to discuss individual player performances,' said Cardoso, while acknowledging Zwane's significance.
'This group is very qualified, with a lot of quality players. Themba is one of them.'
The specifics of Zwane's omission were left unaddressed, fuelling speculation and adding an air of mystery to the situation.
'It's not just about accepting the loss; it's about recognising that we didn't play to the standard we should have in the initial stages of the game. We needed to approach the game differently,' Cardoso said, underscoring his focus on the team's overall performance rather than individual contributions.
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