Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has confirmed that influential player Themba Zwane will be sidelined for months after suffering an Achilles injury.
‘Mshishi’ was handed another starting berth by Broos as South Africa were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Congo Brazzaville at the Alphonse Massemba-Débat Stadium on Tuesday evening.
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The 35-year-old maestro was stretchered off the pitch shortly after the resumption of the second period with Patrick Maswanganyi taking his place.
Zwane’s withdrawal somehow seemed to affect Bafana’s tempo as they failed to peak again with Broos admitting that losing Zwane played a part in how his charges did not perform so well.
“Themba Zwane is a very important player for us,” Broos said in his post-match presser.
“It was not a good thing for us that Themba has to go out for us with injury.
“It’s a big injury. Achilles. I will be afraid he will be out for months
“So, again when you lose such an important player it’s difficult certainly in the game where you are dominated because Themba is someone who can keep the ball who can give the last pass.
“He was not there and maybe that’s also the reason why we didn’t play so well today,” he added.
Bafana’s penultimate round will see them travel away to Uganda on Sunday, 10 November with the result likely to decide who finishes top of Group K.
