Big surprise: Themba Zwane, despite injury, will be part of Bafana Bafana's squad for AFCON! | OneFootball

Despite not having played much for Sundowns, he has been called up for the trip to Morocco.

Big surprise: Themba Zwane, despite injury, will be part of Bafana Bafana's squad for AFCON!

In a move that underscores his belief in experience and proven talent, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has included veteran striker Themba Zwane in his preliminary squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Despite a season hampered by injuries and limited playing time with Mamelodi Sundowns, the 36-year-old's name featured prominently in the initial 54-man selection. Zwane, widely regarded as South African football's most creative force over the past decade, has clearly retained the trust of the national team boss, who is keen to have the playmaker's quality at his disposal for the tournament.

Zwane's recall is a testament to his pivotal role in Bafana's recent success. He was an essential component of the squad that secured a historic third-place finish in the previous AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire—the team's best performance in 24 years.

His recent club form, however, has been sparse. This season, he has made just five appearances across all competitions for Sundowns. His last time on the pitch was on September 14th, when he came on as a substitute in a 3-0 league victory over Magises FC.

Prior to finalizing his squad, Broos left nothing to chance. It is understood that on Monday, he personally sought assurances from the Sundowns technical team, including coach Miguel Cardoso, regarding Zwane's match readiness for Bafana's opening AFCON match on December 22nd. The feedback on the playmaker's condition was reportedly positive, paving the way for his inclusion.

The broader preliminary squad announced by Broos contains few surprises and appears to be a balanced blend, also introducing some promising new young talents and fringe players who have been integrated into the national team setup during the latter half of 2025.