Themba Zwane has built a remarkable legacy at Mamelodi Sundowns, with his latest triumph taking his career trophy collection to an extraordinary 19 major honours. The veteran midfielder has spent more than a decade with the Tshwane giants, establishing himself as one of the club’s most important players during one of the most successful periods in its history. From domestic championships to continental titles, Zwane has been part of Sundowns teams that have consistently competed for the biggest honours available. His longevity at the club has also made him a familiar figure to generations of supporters. At 37, the player affectionately known as Mshishi continues to add to a career that already stands among the most decorated in South African football.
Zwane joined Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2011 and has remained with the club for more than 14 years. During that period, he has made more than 400 appearances for the Brazilians, becoming the club’s longest-serving player. His ability to remain at the highest level for such a long period has been an important part of his success. While many players have come and gone during Sundowns’ transformation into a dominant force in South African football, Zwane has remained a constant presence. His longevity has allowed him to play under different coaches, alongside numerous generations of teammates and in several different competitions.
Much of Zwane’s trophy success has come through Sundowns’ dominance in the domestic league. He has collected nine league winner’s medals, with titles coming in the 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. These championships cover almost an entire decade of sustained success and highlight how consistently Sundowns have competed at the top of South African football. Zwane was part of the squad throughout this remarkable period and contributed on the field when available. His nine league titles form the biggest portion of his impressive collection of honours.
The 2024/25 league triumph was another significant milestone, even though injury restricted Zwane’s involvement during the campaign. Sundowns eventually secured their eighth consecutive league championship in May 2025, further extending their remarkable domestic run. Zwane made only one start and six substitute appearances during that particular league campaign because of his fitness problems. Despite his reduced playing time, he remained part of a squad that continued the club’s extraordinary run of league success. His previous contributions to the club’s dominance had already established his place in the history of Sundowns’ championship-winning teams.
Zwane’s achievements are not limited to South African football, as he has also experienced considerable success on the continental stage. He was part of the Sundowns team that won the CAF Champions League in the 2015/16 season. A decade later, he added another Champions League winner’s medal when Sundowns lifted the continental trophy again during the 2025/26 campaign. Winning Africa’s premier club competition twice represents one of the biggest achievements of his career. His continental collection also includes the CAF Super Cup, which he won in 2017, and the African Football League title in 2023.
The midfielder has also enjoyed considerable success in South African cup competitions. His trophy cabinet includes three Nedbank Cup titles, won in the 2014/15, 2019/20 and 2021/22 seasons. He has also lifted the Telkom Knockout twice, with Sundowns winning the competition in 2015 and 2019. Another honour came through the MTN8 in 2021, giving Zwane another domestic cup medal to add to his collection. These victories show that his success has not been limited to league football. Across different competitions and different stages of his career, Zwane has consistently been part of Sundowns teams capable of challenging for trophies.
Individual recognition has also followed Zwane throughout his career. His most successful individual awards period came during the 2019/20 season, when he collected several major honours. He was named PSL Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Midfielder of the Season. Those awards reflected his influence during a period when Sundowns were competing successfully on multiple fronts. Recognition from both the league and his fellow players added another dimension to his already impressive team achievements.
Zwane’s influence has also extended to the international stage and major global competitions. He represented Mamelodi Sundowns at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as captain, giving him another opportunity to lead the club in a major international tournament. Sundowns produced a memorable result in their opening match by defeating Ulsan HD 1-0. They later suffered a 4-3 defeat against Borussia Dortmund before finishing their group-stage campaign with a goalless draw against Fluminense. Although the campaign ended without progression from the group, Zwane had the opportunity to lead his club at one of the biggest tournaments in world football.
What makes Zwane’s trophy collection particularly notable is the length of time over which he has accumulated these honours. His success has not come from a single exceptional season or a short period at the top. Instead, he has remained at Mamelodi Sundowns through more than a decade of domestic and continental competition. He has experienced changes in coaching staff, changes among teammates and the evolution of the club into one of Africa’s leading teams. Through all of those changes, Zwane has remained closely connected to Sundowns’ success.
At 37, Zwane now stands as one of the most decorated players in South African football. His 19 major trophies represent years of consistency, commitment and involvement in one of the country’s most successful clubs. The latest addition following Sundowns’ African triumph has further strengthened his remarkable record. While injuries have limited his involvement at certain points in recent seasons, his contribution to the club’s history cannot be measured only by appearances in individual campaigns. Zwane’s legacy has been built over many years, and his collection of honours provides a clear reflection of the extraordinary career he has enjoyed at Mamelodi Sundowns.
