Mosimane’s life-changing advice to Themba Zwane

Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns has revealed the guidance he received from coach Pitso Mosimane that altered his game from being simply another player to one around which the squad can be built.

Zwane’s talent on the ball has been undeniable since his debut.

Pitso Mosimane’s life-changing advice

That same skill had the late Clive Barker heralding him as the next Doctor Khumalo.

The issue with Zwane, however, was persuading him to develop into a more successful player in the final third, rather than simply making the team tick from midfield once they had taken the lead according to the player himself.

Zwane thanks former coach Mosimane, with whom he worked for over eight years at Sundowns, for transforming his game and adding much-needed goals to his arsenal.

The forward-cum-attacking-midfielder has proven to be a key man in a successful Sundowns squad even after Mosimane’s departure.

“I think goals make a big difference,” Zwane told Sundowns’ Pitchside Podcast. 

“I remember coach Pitso said to me, ‘you are doing everything well, but you don’t score. That’s why if the game is difficult, I will put [in] this one and this one, because I know they will score.

“But for you, you won’t score. I will put you [in] just to make us play if we are leading,” he added.

Zwane Laying down the challenge

Zwane has challenged his colleague Sphelele Mkhulise to follow the same counsel he received and take his game to the next level.

“That’s the only thing Mkhulise must do, score goals. Because he is a quality player,” he said.

Zwane is currently on duty with the national team in the Ivory Coast. Bafana went down 2-0 in a disappointing display to open their ASfcon tilt.