Themba Zwane to Miss Sundowns’ MTN8 Second Leg

Mamelodi Sundowns fans received disappointing news regarding Themba Zwane’s injury sustained against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final first leg.

Zwane was stretchered off early in the match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. Head coach Miguel Cardoso was unable to provide a detailed assessment immediately after the game. The veteran midfielder had only recently returned from an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him since October 2024, after sustaining the injury on Bafana Bafana duty against Congo Brazzaville.

Cardoso confirmed that Zwane will definitely miss the MTN8 second leg in Pretoria this weekend.

“Unfortunately, Themba will be out for, I believe, maybe around two months, probably,” Cardoso said after Sundowns’ 2-0 league win over Magesi FC at Seshego Stadium on Wednesday.

The coach remains hopeful that Zwane will return stronger. “But he will come back stronger, I believe for sure, and we are expecting him to come back as quickly as possible. Since the moment he got injured, the club has made every effort to make that time as short as possible. Let’s hope we get it as short as possible,” he added.

During the league win, Sundowns had Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, and Keanu Cupido available on the bench as they secured a 2-0 victory over Magesi FC, providing some squad depth in Zwane’s absence.

Sundowns will need to adjust their midfield strategy without their experienced playmaker as they aim to advance past Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final.