Daniel Mudau lauds Themba Zwane and Andile Jali

The 2021/22 season saw Mamelodi Sundowns clinching the MTN 8 trophy for the first time after fourteen years. Since that triumph, Masandawana has excelled across all the competitions they have participated in. The Brazilians currently leads the DSTV Premiership standings after 23 games with 51 points amassed. Bafana Ba Style have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League and are in the last eight of the Nedbank Cup where they will take on ABC Motsepe outfit Summerfield Dynamos.

While the entire squad have contributed to the success of Sundowns this season, two players have constantly grabbed the headlines – Themba Zwane and Andile Jali. “Mshishi have bagged ten goals and has grabbed five assists this season while AJ have netted twice and claimed an assist.

Jali joined The Brazilians in 2018 and has racked over a hundred appearances for the Sundowns. Impressive, the Matatiele-born midfielder has never picked up a red card which is an incredible feat for a player that is known for bossing the midfield. “AJ” has also represented Bafana Bafana and the last time he donned the national team colours was in March 2021 in a game against Ghana.

Daniel “Mambush” Mudau, a Bafana Ba style legend hailed the consistency and industrious abilities of Jali, “he is one player who has performed so well, so much that he has gained the attention of the Technical Team and that has propelled him to being one of the Captains of the team. He can distribute the ball well thanks to his long and short passing range and you can see that he is enjoying his game.”

Zwane has had a sterling season, notching up two thousand four hundred and fifty-six minutes. The 32-year-old attacking midfielder has been a very integral member of the team. Mshishi has been with Masandawana for over a decade and has won every trophy that is available in South African football. In the CAF Champions League, he has scored fourteen career goals in the competition thus far.

“The guy is a genius, he has his style of play which makes him a top player. He is much disciplined and that is why you can see how he puts in five-star performances every game. He is one player that makes the team play and attacks more on their opponents, he can change the game easily and knows how to compliment his teammates. He plays the game so simple thanks to his one-two touches which are very deadly in opening the opponent’s defence,” concluded Mambush.