Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has hailed the return of Themba Zwane to the Bafana Bafana squad and suggested there’s no player better in his position in South Africa.
Zwane has been left in the wilderness by Bafana head coach Hugo Broos since his appointment in May 2021 as he looked to a more youthful national team.
However, his utterances towards the constant snubs suggested that he wasn’t quite convinced that Zwane would fit into his tactical plans for the future.
Despite being one of the standout players in the DStv Premiership for treble-champions Sundowns, Broos stood firm in his stance against the player but 16 months on he’s finally made a u-turn, which Mokwena feels has been long overdue.
“Themba Zwane, I’m excited, I’ve been advocating for this. And also I want to take my hat off to Hugo Broos because it’s one thing to be stubborn as a coach and stubborn in a direction that I mean… let’s be honest, in his position, show me someone better,” Mokwena said on Thursday afternoon.
“And when you have that type of player and that type of quality available to assist your national team, in my opinion… you’re bringing the player to the national team because it’s 50-million hearts and souls.
“It’s not one. As the coach, you have the responsibility to protect and carry 50 million hearts and souls, the responsibility to make an entire nation happy with performances, with results and that means sometimes you may overlook certain players.
“But when you [have] humility to be able to correct certain narratives or opinions you have formulated, that shows incredible leadership. Kudos to Hugo Broos on that but also incredible for Themba Zwane because he’s been consistent, worked very hard and it’s well deserved.
“That’s how football should always be, football should always be about meritocracy, football should always be about the best players getting the best opportunities to give their best and particularly when it’s about representing your national team, it’s great news.”
The 33-year-old midfielder has scored 72 goals and registered 52 assists in 336 games across all competitions for the Masadawna first-team since joining the club from Vardos in 2011.
