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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has confirmed a major setback for the club, with captain Themba Zwane ruled out for the next two months.
The influential midfielder was forced off early in their MTN8 first-leg semifinal against Orlando Pirates last weekend and was notably absent from the squad that beat Magesi 2-0 in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday night.
This marks the second serious injury for Zwane in less than a year, after he spent several months on the sidelines at the start of last season.
Speaking after the win over Magesi, Cardoso delivered the devastating update on his skipper’s fitness.
"Well, unfortunately Themba will be out for I believe around two months probably, unfortunately but he'll come back stronger I believe. We are expecting him to come as quickly as possible since the time he got injured the club made everything and himself to make that time as reduced as possible,” Cardoso said.
“Let's hope we can do it as soon as possible."
Cardoso added that while Zwane’s absence will be felt, there was enough cover in the squad to fill the big void.
Cardoso also hailed Peter Shalulile, whose goal drew him level with Siyabonga Nomvethe’s PSL record of 129.
"When the players also achieve their own objectives and they mark the history and we as a team help them to achieve those achievements, we all feel proud and happy,” the coach added.
“Obviously as you saw also, I, myself went to congratulate and give him a hug. It's important that Peter helps us to win matches. Basically him and the team did a wonderful job today.
“Very resilient because it was a very difficult match, we had to start, well taking it from the beginning but we knew that it would be probably more close to the second half that we would have the chance to finish the game.
“We brought in the line up a lot of young players as you saw but we knew we would reinforce the bench and that would help. All of them did well and all of them helped us to get the victory. Congratulations to the team and to Peter of course."
