Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he is hopeful that Mamelodi Sundowns veteran midfielder Themba Zwane will soon return to the national team following his recovery from a long-term injury.
The 35-year-old Sundowns’ playmaker made just 12 appearances in all competitions in the recently concluded Betway Premiership.
He had spent the first four months of the campaign on the sidelines after surgery for an Achilles tear sustained on national duty with South Africa.
Zwane was back in action for his club in April but played just a bit-part role as the season came to an end, and was left out of the CAF Champions League final defeat to Pyramids.
Speaking ahead of Bafana’s international friendly with Mozambique on Tuesday, Broos said on FARPost: “I said it before; I think the injury with Themba is okay. But I have to see it. There must be a reason why he didn’t play so much football [for Sundowns].
“But maybe he is physically not in order. I don’t know. But I think the coach knows what he does with Themba. He also knows his qualities, and I think if Themba is ready to play a game, I am sure of it he will play. But again, I don’t know the situation.”
Broos added: “I saw Themba two months ago when I visited Sundowns and I had a chat with the coach. At that moment, everything went well, but he was certainly not ready.
“We are two months later now, so I don’t know. But I am sure when Themba is ready, he will play games, and certainly he will be ready to play for Bafana Bafana.”