Sundowns’ Themba Zwane opens up about Bafana rejection

Recently, Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi expressed his confusion over the decision by Bafana boss Hugo Broos to continue overlooking star midfielder Themba Zwane when it came to Bafana Bafana selection.

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Zwane last played for Bafana Bafana under the tutelage of former coach Molefi Ntseki, and is yet to feature under Broos, who has suggested age could be a factor in looking beyond the 32-year-old.

Prior to Broos’ appointment, Zwane was a Bafana regular and played a prominent role when the side reached the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Egypt.

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Recently, Hugo Broos showed his hand when he unveiled the final Bafana squad to face France and Guinea in friendly internationals to be played in Europe this month, and Zwane has now responded to his continued absence.

“I am not disappointed at all. I am a professional player. What I can say is that I respect the coach’s decision,” Zwane told the media at Sundowns’ MTN8 Goals for Charity initiative, as quoted by Goal.com.

“I support the guys all the way. I have not yet spoken to the coach. And I don’t have anything against him as well. As a player, I’ll keep on pushing, hoping that my chance will come. If not, I’ll still keep on pushing. There are things that I still want to achieve personally, with the team. So, I have to push myself and try to improve in every game,” he added.

Zwane has 23 Bafana caps to his name

Meanwhile, Mngqithi has previously thrown his full weight of support behind the player and backed him to earn Bafana Bafana inclusion sooner rather than later.

“Though one would always say Themba Zwane is one of the best players in the country. Age aside the boy has been consistent and the question is, what does he need to do? Maybe he must go to Home Affairs and change his age only, because the truth of the matter is he is a pillar of strength in our team, and he helps us to really navigate our way, which I also believe he can help the national team, but we must not be greedy sometimes,” said Mngqithi on the Ultimate Sports Show recently.

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