Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane is a major doubt for their CAF Champions League opener against Al Hilal – but fears of a long-term injury have been allayed.
Zwane suffered an injury in their 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates on Saturday and was a notable absentee in the much-changed starting line-up as they beat Richards Bay in the last-32 clash on the Nedbank Cup 3-2 on Tuesday evening.
The club announced him as part of their growing injury list – but Mokwena stated he will be back ‘sooner rather than later’ while he revealed some of the other players looking to get back to the first team over the coming weeks.
“Mshishi we are waiting for the diagnosis of the scans from the doctors, so I can’t give you an accurate answer,” Mokwena confirmed earlier this week, with iDiski Times noting his absence from training on Thursday morning.
“The other injuries are still Nasir, he is long-term, Haashim Domingo, Lebo Maboe, but most of the players are still working their way back to fitness, some of them are on the green grass already.”
“Terrence is starting to train, still not available for selection, AB, still not available for selection – so I think six or seven players including Themba Zwane on that list.”
“[Zwane is] not as serious as he looked, but hopefully… [he’s] an important player for us, that captain of the team, even with Denis on the pitch, he still keeps the armband, so [he’s] important for the team because he gives so much confidence.
“Themba is Themba, a very good player, so hopefully he is back sooner rather than later.”
Sundowns host Florent Ibenge’s Sudanese giants on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versveld (15h30).
