Themba Zwane has joined the South African Senior National Football team as they prepare for their two friendly games against Sierra Leone and Botswana both taking place at the FNB Stadium on Saturday and Tuesday.
The attacking Masandawana midfielder last played for the national team in 2020 against Sao Tome and Principe, Mshishi scored twice as South Africa defeated Sao Tome 4-2 in the 2021 Afcon qualifier at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
This is the first call-up for the 33-year old maestro since Hugo Broos took over as South Africa head coach in 2021, the former footballer of the season has has always demonstrated the willingness to join Bafana Bafana should he be selected and his inclusion in the squad is proof that he is still one of the highly rated midfielders in the country. Zwane expressed his excitement about making the cut to be a part of the national squad for the upcoming friendly matches, he said:
“I am very pleased and honored to be a part of the national squad as it is always an honor to play for my country.” Masandawana faithful and the coaches believe the call up is well deserved, talking about Zwane’s inclusion, Coach Rulani Mokwena said: ”I am excited about Themba being part of the squad because I have been advocating for this. I also want to take my hat off to [Coach] Hugo Broos because it’s one thing to be stubborn as a coach, and when you have the humility to be able to correct a certain narrative that shows incredible leadership.”
Zwane is no stranger to the national set-up and will link up with familiar faces, including his teammates Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Rushine De Reuck, Aubrey Modiba and Teboho Mokoena that have also received national call-ups to the Bafana squad. Due to injury, Terrence Mashego, who made his debut for The Brazilians on Sunday has been pulled out from the squad by the National Team doctors.
Bafana Bafana will meet with Sierra Leone on Saturday, September 24 and Botswana on Tuesday, September 27, with both matches taking place at the FNB Stadium. Kick-off for both games is at 15H00.
Its long overdue for Zwane to play for his country, we can’t even say thumbs up to Hugo Broos,because he subjected us to an arrogance of highest order.We are still having questions as to how does it happen that the greatest defensive midfielder of the calibre of Jali isn’t part of the national set up baffles me.But enough about football politics I’m happy that the things that we say&raise on this platform are taken care of, we complained about the presence 4 left back positions that are playing for the national team.Thanks to the management for loaning out Lyle Lakay&again for releasing Erasmus because he was starting to be unhappy because of lack of game time and I have a firm belief that was starting to brew an atmosphere that is unpleasant at the club.We welcome our central defender from Morocco 🇲🇦 👍 you have come to the most ambitious team in the southern hemisphere.Kaboyelo I remain…..
Our players have never been good in the national team in any case. The selection of Mshishi worries me because he might get injured and I tell you his absence in our team will be very much visible. We’re just hopeless upfront when Mshishi is not there.
Sizwe Moataung was the greatest right back playing for Sundowns and his country, Themba Mnguni was also great as the defender until Irvi Khoza told him (Mnguni)that if he can play for Pirates he will feature in France world cup 98.Thats how soccer mafias are operating sometimes Kekena has played well &scored great goals as a defensive midfielder.Katlego Mphela has the greatest scoring ratio as a striker if he has 50 caps he scores 25 goals for the national team of which that equates to a goal in every 2 games of which even McCarthy never achieved,until he was booed by Pirates &Chiefs hooligans.But the question is has a Sundowns player played with any decent &credible players,but the mear fact that South Africa has failed to qualify for both world cup &Caf tournaments shows us a sorry state the manner in which the national soccer ⚽️ team is over the years.Linda Buthelezi was called Mercedes for reasons. In all I doubt that there is substance in saying Sundowns players have not been good playing for the national team.But to agree with you Dalom can saying Zwane is no longer on form as he was when Broos snubbed him,maybe the coach wants to see failure and say look at your player