Themba Zwane Shares What He Must Do to Make Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana’s Squad for World Cup

• Themba Zwane has made his intentions known about his aspirations to represent South Africa at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup
• The Mamelodi Sundowns captain has been out of the South African men's national team for a long time as he was battling with different injuries
• The 36-year-old midfielder is not totally ruled out of contention for Hugo Broos' squad and also shares what he must do to make the team

Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Themba Zwane has voiced his ambition to represent Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States of America, Canada and Mexico will co-host.

The 36-year-old midfielder’s season has been a rollercoaster, with injuries keeping him out of the national setup, including his absence from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Since recovering, Zwane has returned to club action. However, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has been managing his game time carefully, limiting his minutes on the pitch till he regains full fitness and returns to the starting line-up.

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He was part of the Bafana Bafana squad that finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, but was dropped from the final squad for the 2025 edition of the competition held in Morocco.

Zwane on his World Cup aspirations

In the 2025-26 season so far, Zwane has appeared 12 times for Sundowns but has started only three matches. He acknowledges that he must elevate his performances to earn the trust of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

“I want to be at the World Cup, but I know I still have to work hard to show the coach that I deserve a place in the national team,” Zwane told a child during a recent visit to the Mamelodi Sundowns Soccer Schools.

Having never played at a World Cup, Zwane’s involvement in Bafana Bafana’s qualifying campaign was limited, largely due to his injury setbacks.

He has since returned to action at the club level, but it's not yet guaranteed that he will make the final squad list for Bafana Bafana for the World Cup.

Will Zwane reclaim the No.10 role?

The veteran South African midfielder has not represented South Africa since suffering an injury in an AFCON 2025 qualifier against Congo Brazzaville in October 2025.

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His absence was strongly felt during AFCON 2025, where coach Hugo Broos chose Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule as the team’s No.10.

Mbule’s performances in Morocco were underwhelming, leading many to speculate that Zwane could have added value even if he had just returned from injury when the squad was finalised. Bafana Bafana were eliminated from the competition in the Round of 16 stage after losing to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

Whether the seasoned playmaker can impress Broos enough to secure a World Cup spot remains to be seen.

Petersen on how to earn Bafana call-up

Briefly News earlier reported that Brandon Petersen outlined how he can secure a place in the Bafana Bafana squad under coach Hugo Broos.

The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper has been one of the best players in the Betway Premiership this season, and he's one of the players considered ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Source: Briefly News