Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says Themba Zwane can’t be replaced and that Dr. Jomo Sono criticises him for not playing him more often.
Zwane, 34, has been one of the most-talked about players in the country as his performances for Bafana Bafana since returning to the fold opened up the debate of whether he’s the greatest player in Premier Soccer League history.
While his goal involvements have not been up to his lofty standards in the 2023/24 season for Sundowns and he’s beginning to be used more sparringly by Mokwena, there’s been talk over who will replace him for club and country.
Hugo Broos has challenged the likes of Patrick Maswanganyi to prove he can be the next playmaker in the national team but when it comes to Sundowns, Mokwena says he is peerless.
“You can’t replace [him], one of the greats of South African football, who just so happens to be a family member, he always says to me, ‘your biggest mistake is you put Themba Zwane on the bench’,” Mokwena said.
“Every time Sundowns don’t play well I get that message, so when you speak of a man that’s unearthed some of the biggest players in the country’s history and was one of the greatest in the country also… Dr Jomo Sono always tells me ‘you can’t replace Themba’.”
Sundowns arguably hold four of the best number 10s in the country in Zwane, Thembinkosi Lorch, Gaston Sirino and Junior Mendieta at the moment – who will all be vying to cement their spot as the leading player in the position.
“You just can’t, he’s a generational talent – and a good person, a very good person, you see when we take him off he doesn’t winge, he doesn’t whine, you get these things sometimes with players who are at a certain level; he comes running off the pitch,” he continued.
“Watch the [Tshwane Derby] where he substituted, he’s not dragging his feet, for me is an indication of how great he is when you even undermine your greatness, he doesn’t even know how good he is.
“These types of players [it’s very difficult to replace] it will be another 10-15 years until you find someone who can play and surpass Mshishi’s level. I won’t even attempt to replace Mshishi because it’s impossible.”
