Sundowns sweating on Zwane ahead of Al-Hilal clash

Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns

Thursday Feb 09, 2023. 13:00

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena is hoping to have Themba Zwane available for their Group B opener against Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League on Saturday.

The 33-year-old winger has been integral to the Brazilians’ DStv Premiership title challenge this season as they opened up a 23-point lead at the summit after winning a record 15 games on the spin.

However, Zwane missed the 3-2 win over Richards Bay in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 on Tuesday with an unspecified injury and is rated doubtful for the upcoming continental clash with the Blue Wave at Loftus Versfeld.

Mokwena revealed the injury is not as serious as first feared and is waiting on the results of MRI scans to determine whether the Bafana Bafana international will play a part this weekend.

“We are waiting for a diagnosis from the scans and I can’t give you an accurate answer, but it is not as serious as it looked,” Mokwena said.

“He is an important player for us and the captain of the team. You may have seen recently that even if Denis Onyango is on the pitch, he still keeps the armband.

“He is important for the team because he has so much confidence, he is a very good player and hopefully, he’ll back sooner than later.

“We have a few injuries but have to make do with what we have. It is good that the rest of the players are putting up their hands for places.”