Latest news with #ThembaZwane
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Zwane's absence still echoes louder than final whistle
Themba Zwane watched from the bench as Mamelodi Sundowns fell short against Pyramids— a CAF Champions League final without their captain, and a decision that still haunts Chloorkop. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Mamelodi Sundowns' captain Themba Zwane has been the most talismanic and consistent player in top-flight South African football over the past decade. Therefore, any coach who dares to leave him out of a major match when he is fully fit should be considered to have blood on their hands. It is for this reason that Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso should face the music after leaving Zwane on the bench in both legs of the CAF Champions League final. Cardoso's tactical decisions — and arguably a touch of ego — cost the team dearly, as Sundowns lost 3–2 on aggregate to Pyramids. Zwane's absence in both Pretoria and Cairo was keenly felt, not only for his technical quality and influence on the pitch but for his experience — having been part of the side that lifted the title in 2016. 1⃣3⃣ days to go until we #TakeItToTheWorld at the @FIFACWC! 🇿🇦🇺🇸 Catch all the Masandawana action for FREE, live on DAZN! Click here to Register today! 📲 #RabatsenaGape — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 4, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mshishi has become something of a demigod to younger players, teammates, and even opponents. His stature and influence in the game mean he can seemingly do no wrong — a perception that continues to drive him to excellence. So revered is Zwane within South African football circles that his exclusion can send shockwaves through the sport's hierarchy. Cardoso need only ask his Bafana Bafana counterpart, Hugo Broos. When Broos first took charge of the national team, he was firm in his stance: there would be limited places for players over the age of 30 unless they offered something exceptional. At that time, Zwane did not fit Broos's criteria and was left out. But as criticism over his exclusion grew louder, Broos began to view Zwane differently. He later admitted that leaving the Sundowns captain out was the one major error of his Bafana tenure. 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 📹 Club Chairman Tlhopie Motsepe praises the team's effort, despite the outcome, the journey has brought us closer to greatness, with unity and determination remaining strong as we look ahead. 💛 Head to our YouTube channel to get… — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 3, 2025 That has proven true. Zwane has since justified his inclusion, playing a vital role in Bafana's resurgence. With Zwane pulling the strings in midfield, South Africa claimed their first podium finish at the Africa Cup of Nations in over 20 years, qualified for back-to-back Afcon tournaments, and now stand on the brink of a place at the 2026 World Cup. Broos eventually ate humble pie, conceding: 'Only fools do not change their mind.' Zwane had indeed proved him wrong and become a cornerstone of the national team. This is not to say Cardoso is a fool — but his decision to post a smiling photo with Zwane at Chloorkop after the final, without addressing the controversy, was poorly judged. He had plenty of time to explain Zwane's omission in Cairo. Instead of being transparent, he claimed it wasn't the right time to speak about individuals. When will that time come? That remains unclear. What is clear, however, is that Masandawana fans are still demanding answers. Sundowns President Thlopi Motsepe addresses the fans prior to team arrival at OR Tambo. Fans: 🗣 Themba Zwane...🤧 — Mnyamani 📽 (@Zikamnyamane) June 2, 2025
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
From hero to spectator: Themba Zwane's silent night in CAF final defeat signals a changing of the guard
End of the road from Mshishi? Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Themba Zwane, seen here during the first leg of the Champions League final, was an unused substitute in Sunday's second leg, won by Egyptian side Pyramids FC. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix South Africans and Mamelodi Sundowns supporters watched helplessly on Sunday as the mighty Tshwane giants fell at the final hurdle in their bid to win a second CAF Champions League crown. Egyptian side Pyramids dominated the South African champions and lifted the continental crown for the very first time in their history. Also watching helplessly was talisman Themba Zwane, who was an unused substitute throughout the match. In years gone by, coaches at Sundowns have always relied on the veteran to conjure something up and get the club out of jail, so everyone was perplexed as to why he was not called upon as the Brazilians struggled to get back into the game. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading When asked why Zwane was not brought on, Miguel Cardoso's answer hinted at how he sees the player. 'I totally understand what kind of answer you want or you're looking for, but it's not time to speak about individual performances of players,' the Portuguese said. 'This group is very qualified, with a lot of quality players, and obviously Themba is one of them.' That reaction speaks volumes — Zwane's days as the key player at Sundowns are clearly numbered. Throughout the season, the club have had to do without him anyway, as he spent months on the treatment table. In that time, others have stepped up to fill the void. One of those is Jayden Adams, signed from Stellenbosch FC in January and tasked with replacing Zwane. Adams impressed but didn't completely fill Zwane's massive boots. But with Zwane turning 36 in two months, it seems like the writing's on the wall, and he will now play a bit-part role at the club. He signed a new contract until the end of the 2025/26 season in April, but will now be looking back and thinking if that may have been a rash decision. South Africans will now be watching to see how much of a role Mshishi plays at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, kicking off in two weeks. If he continues to play off the bench, then it will be clear that Cardoso no longer sees him as an important player. Whatever happens next, Zwane's legacy at Sundowns is already secure. He has been at the heart of the club's most successful era, inspiring a generation with his elegance, intelligence, and clutch performances in the biggest moments. Whether he fades quietly into a supporting role or finds one last chapter of brilliance, his contribution to South African football will not be forgotten. For now, the question is not whether Mshishi still has magic in his boots — but whether he'll be given the stage to show it one last time. Maybe it's time he picked up that call from Kaizer Motaung Jr. IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@ Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 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.
The South African
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
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. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
CAF
23-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Zwane confident as Sundowns aim for vital first leg victory
Mamelodi Sundowns are gearing up for a crucial clash in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final first leg, and midfielder Themba Zwane has emphasised the significance of the occasion for the team and its supporters. The Sundowns playmaker recently returned to the team's starting line-up following a lengthy recovery from an injury. With anticipation building, he acknowledges the challenge ahead but remains confident in the squad's readiness. "Obviously tomorrow's game is very important for us the Masandawana family. We know for sure that the finals are not easy, but I think us as a team we have prepared very well." Sundowns are no strangers to their opponents, having faced them before. This familiarity, coupled with thorough preparation, gives Zwane confidence in their ability to approach the game strategically. "I think it's not the first time meeting them. We've met them before, we know what to expect. I think this week we've been analysing them and I think the preparation is going well." For Zwane, the match is more than just another fixture. He recognises the weight of expectation and the desire to add another star to the club's history. "As you said previously I showed a lot of emotion because I think I understand how important it is for the team to get the second star. I think this time is an opportunity to get the last star and I think we have a team that is capable to do it." Reaching this stage of the competition has been a long and demanding journey, built on determination and hard work. Zwane believes the team is fully aware of the effort it has taken to get here and what is required to succeed. With the final looming, Sundowns will look to channel their preparation and unity into a performance that reflects their ambition. For Zwane and his teammates, the opportunity to claim continental glory is within reach, and they are determined to seize it.
