Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is optimistic that star midfielder Themba Zwane will make his comeback to competitive action well before the FIFA Club World Cup.
Zwane, 35, endured a setback in October while on international duty with Bafana Bafana, suffering a partial tear of his Achilles tendon. This injury has significantly impacted his season, limiting him to less than four hours of competitive football for Masandawana thus far.
However, the experienced playmaker has been integrated back into the squad and has been spotted on the training field in recent weeks, fueling hope for his swift recovery. Cardoso is confident that Zwane will not only regain his fitness in time for the prestigious Club World Cup tournament but will likely return to action well before then.
“For sure, Themba will recover in time, not only for the World Cup but to play before that,” he was quoted as saying by iDsiki Times.
“We have expectations to recover him, Mothobi (Mvala), Divine (Lunga), and (Khuliso) Mudau in different stages, but they will return sooner than the World Cup.
“Let’s hope, because there is one thing that is physical recovery to play football, and another thing is football performance. There are more steps to take.
“We should also understand that it’s not just about him training with the team and immediately playing. The question is whether he will be able to play in a game or games at that level, and that’s another thing we have to prepare him for.
“It’s not the same situation with Mudau, who stopped for one month, or Divine who stopped for three weeks. For Themba, it’s four months [he was out]. So that process will take a little bit longer.
“But he’s working very hard. That’s what I demand from all of them. Expectations are good, and let’s hope we can reduce the timing so he can play before the World Cup.”
Sundowns are already back in action on Wednesday, when they will face third-placed Sekhukhune United. Kick off at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium is set for 19:30 local time.