Themba Zwane Opens Up on Injury Recovery and AFCON 2025 Readiness for Bafana Bafana
- Themba Zwane has been through a rollercoaster of emotions, returning from a long injury only to pick up a fresh thigh strain
- The experienced Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder is putting in extra work behind the scenes, focusing on strength, rehab, and mental resilience to get fully match-ready
- With the 2025 AFCON on the horizon, Zwane remains optimistic about earning a spot in the Bafana Bafana squad
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Themba Zwane has opened up about his recent injury struggles, sharing his determination to return stronger and stay in contention for AFCON 2025.
The 36-year-old made his comeback in the league match against Magesi FC in September but was forced off the field after picking up a fresh thigh injury.
Source: Getty Images
Speaking to iDiski Times senior journalist Lorenz Köhler, Zwane described the emotional challenges of returning from a long-term injury.
“You know, when you come back from injury, you’re excited to contribute to the team,” Zwane said.
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“I tried to push myself, but I pulled my quad again. I was disappointed, but after two days, I accepted it and focused on rehab.”
The Sundowns star praised his teammates for their support during his recovery, emphasising the importance of mental strength and resilience in overcoming setbacks.
AFCON 2025 ambitions remain strong
Despite doubts from Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos about his inclusion in the national squad, Zwane remains positive about his chances of being fit for AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
“If I can be 100% fit for my club, I can contribute to the national team,” Zwane said.
“It’s about staying positive, strengthening, and doing extra training to be fully ready.”
Zwane has been ruled out of action since September 2025, which could disrupt Broos' plans of including him in his Bafana Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Belgian tactician earlier confirmed that he's counting on the Sundowns captain for the AFCON and also the 2026 FIFA World Cup, if they qualify.
Broos is a fan of Zwane, and he included him in his 48-man preliminary squad for the games against Lesotho and Nigeria, but had to drop him from the final list after he got injured.
Source: Getty Images
Zwane was spotted at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, watching from the stands as South Africa sealed their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda. The midfielder is now focusing on regaining fitness ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and next year’s World Cup in North America.
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana are ramping up preparations for the African Cup of Nations to be held in December in Morocco. They are set to play against Zambia in an international friendly match on Saturday, 15 November
Jordaan speaks on Bafana's point deduction
Briefly News earlier reported that SAFA president Danny Jordaan commented on Bafana Bafana's points deduction during the World Cup qualifiers.
There have been calls from the public that those involved in the issue should be sanctioned by SAFA.
Source: Briefly News
