Rulani names two reasons why Downs star is vital

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed two reasons why veteran attacker Themba Zwane is vital for the club.

Zwane was unlucky as he sustained an injury against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday in the MTN8 semi-final, first leg. The Bafana Bafana international went off just before halftime in the 37th minute.

The two giants of SA football played out to an entertaining 1-1 stalemate at FNB Stadium as Masandawana salvaged a draw in the stoppage time. In-form Edson Castillo opened the scoring in the 61st minute before Khuliso Mudau equalised in the 93rd minute.

RULANI MOKWENA ON THEMBA ZWANE’S IMPORTANCE

According to the mentor, Zwane is important as he’s the captain and on how they set up the team.

“Mshishi [Themba Zwane], I sit here and ask myself how important he is. He’s so important, especially for two reasons: how we want to play and because he’s the captain,” said Mokwena.

“Losing him was a big blow. We are literally down in the attacking department with the strikers. We have to make do with what have. Mshishi was playing in a nine-10 position, we don’t have [Abubeker] Nassir, we don’t have Thapelo Maseko, so you can understand what it does.

“What surprised me about the Mshishi situation is that the foul didn’t even go to us. That was the biggest thing with a deep cut that has had him hospitalized. But the foul went against us. That’s probably my biggest thing.”

WHAT RULANI MOKWENA HOPES FOR THEMBA ZWANE

With the FIFA international break approaching, Mokwena hopes Zwane will get some rest despite being selected to represent the national team against Namibia and DR Congo, respectively.

“But we got a FIFA break now and fortunately also with Bafana Bafana because we also want Bafana to do well. They need Mshishi, but fortunately, with Bafana Bafana, it’s friendlies, and those games are important, but the health and the safety of a player like Mshishi is probably more important.

“I’m so hopeful he’s able to get some rest because clearly with the concussion for the next 10-14 days. It’s a little bit of a precautionary type of measure to give some rest and be a bit protective and cautious, especially in the space that we find ourselves in with our lack of offensive options,” added Mokwena.

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