Sundowns await Themba Zwane medical assessment

Sundowns await Themba Zwane medical assessment

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says the club is hoping captain Themba Zwane’s injury is not serious.

The Bafana Bafana international was stretchered off just 10 minutes into their MTN8 first-leg semifinal against Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Zwane was replaced by Jayden Adams and later returned from the change room limping, watching the remainder of the game from the dugout.
Cardoso says they are crossing fingers for a positive diagnosis.

"We are still awaiting a complete medical assessment on Zwane's injury, but we hope that it is not too serious. 

"No one likes to lose a player to injury, especially if that player is Themba Zwane, someone with maturity and quality to play in the big matches."

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Cardoso viewed the away goal at Pirates’ fortress as a silver lining in a match that could have gone either way.

The Sundowns coach also praised the Buccaneers for their fight and dismissed suggestions that the draw felt like a defeat for his side.

"It isn't a loss, and it doesn't feel like a loss, but we are disappointed to have conceded a goal. 

"If you ask any coach if they would accept a draw before a match starts in Orlando, most coaches will accept it," noted Cardoso. 

The game saw several enforced changes, which Cardoso suggested were a result of the match’s high intensity.”