Miguel Cardoso issues update on latest Themba Zwane injury | OneFootball

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Cardoso offers latest update on Zwane injury

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/ Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has provided an update on the latest injury of club captain Themba Zwane.

The Downs skipper, making his return from an injury sustained in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final clash against Orlando Pirates, walked off the pitch injured after coming on as a second half substitute in the 3-0 win over Magesi FC last Saturday.

In the wake of Zwane’s latest setback, the Portuguese mentor says the 35-year-old playmaker was cleared to play by the medical and performance department.

“We had total clearance for Themba to play, obviously that we knew that Themba, Thapelo [Maseko] and [Siyabonga] Mabena, were players that should not play more than 30 minutes. That’s why some of the substitutions were made in order to adhere to medical advice,” said Cardoso.

“Unfortunately, Themba had a small problem, let’s see if it is really small, I hope so. It’s not the same injury that he had [before]. He had a muscular injury on the abductor and let’s see what we get from there if it’s on the knee or the lower part of the leg.

“I think it was from a contact. I still haven’t spoken properly to the doctor, and I think they will wait to have an exam and a scan so that we can have the right assessment, let’s hope that obviously it’s not a big thing.

With the 2025 AFCON looming and games coming thick and thin at club level, Cardoso is optimistic the seasoned campaigner will make a swift return to action.

“Of course, every injured player is a problem and Themba comes from a long period of injury from last season when he had injury that he had. It took him a long time to recover and then he finished the season playing the Club World Cup in that level in all the matches – giving us important things.,” he added.

“So, our expectations were that he will be important for us but unfortunately, he had a muscular injury that took him out for one month [after Pirates clash]. Let’s see what he has, I don’t think it’s a knee injury or something like that.

“We think it’s something small that comes from a contusion or that might affect the muscle, let’s hope he can come back as soon as possible. It’s not a big injury for sure, we should not expect that.