Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane has recalled the moment he joined the club, admitting that he was not informed that there was interest from Orlando Pirates at the time.
Zwane, 36, is arguably the finest player of his generation in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) winning nine league titles and 18 trophies overall – as well as every individual accolade possible.
More than just a playmaker, but someone who redefined the midfield role in South African football and remains central to the national team even at the twilight of his career – where he looks poised to be part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Having joined Sundowns from an amateur side Vardos – where he become the record signing from that level of football to the PSL at the time, it could have been different.
“I remember that week after playing Philly’s Games, maybe two weeks later, they called a national U23 camp, I went for the squad and when I was there I got a call from my Vardos boss, Sinky Mnisi, he was like ey, Sundowns are really interested, they are serious,” Zwane said on PitchSide With Peter Tabu.
“But he never told me about Pirates, only about Sundowns, so I’m so excited about this, I said ‘for me, any time I can sign any time’, okay so I left the camp to sign for Sundowns – when I got there, it was just in and out.
“I got there, there was a contract, everything was sorted, I just went and signed and I was so happy, I didn’t even look what was in the contract because I trusted Bra Sinky, because he was the one who took me there.
“I was just excited, I found out later that Pirates was interested but I already signed and never looked back. I thank God for the decision and being at Sundowns.”
Zwane has since gone on to feature close to 450 times for Sundowns, with 80 goals and 60 assists to his name across all competitions – a icon and legendary figure of Masandawana history.
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