Miguel Cardoso provides fresh Themba Zwane injury update | OneFootball

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Cardoso gives latest Zwane injury update

Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has provided the latest injury update on captain Themba Zwane, who has been out of action since September.

The Downs skipper picked up an injury in the opening stages of the ongoing campaign and came back earlier than initially anticipated. Upon his return, he suffered a setback against Magesi FC last month.

With the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) on the horizon, Cardoso says his wish is to see the veteran playmaker make the Bafana Bafana squad for the continental showpiece set to be staged in Morocco in December.

“My wish is that Themba goes, obviously on the behalf of the respect and love we have for Themba Zwane, we cannot wish him nothing more than having him on the highest platform of South African football,” said the Portuguese mentor.

"He's not a youngster anymore despite he still has a lot of flame and pleasure and the will to play football at the highest level and that is for sure what allows him to still be a football player that can perform.

"So, we need to bring him back to competition and from there hope he is ready for the national team - that's what I'm going to do myself here, including the medical department, the performance department, and the technical department inside Mamelodi Sundowns.

Meanwhile, the 53-year-old tactician confirmed Zwane won't be available for the top-of-the-table clash against Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, stating they won't rush him back to the pitch despite his steady progress.

“On training [he will be back] soon, let's hope. You saw him today in training separated from the group. So, he is still not integrated in the work of the group. What he needs is still not available on the coaching side,” added Cardoso.

"He is not even yet on the moment of returning to performance - he is returning to training but not retuning to performance - it means that now he is getting physical specifics to play football and from there he will have to recover his condition in order for us to put him to play again.

"One thing you need to understand, Themba Zwane had a knee injury then suffered another one. So, we need to be very careful if we really want to give [him] conditions to play football this season and help Mamelodi Sundowns and after Bafana Bafana if the coach decides so.