By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mamelodi Sundowns Head coach Miguel Cardoso confirmed that midfielder Themba “Mshishi” Zwane will spend close to two months on the sidelines.
Zwane left the field in the first half of the MTN8 semifinal first leg against Orlando Pirates last weekend.
The midfielder missed a large portion of the previous season after he suffered a career-threatening Achilles injury during Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo.
“Unfortunately, Themba will be out for about two months,” said Cardoso.
Cardoso said Zwane’s injury is a huge blow.
“When a player or one part of the family is not 100%, is a big blow but he will come back stronger and soon he will be on the pitch.”
Despite the injury, Zwane has been named in Hugo Broos’ preliminary squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria respectively.
Meanwhile tickets for Saturday’s clash at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe stadium has been sold out.
The teams played out to a 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium on Saturday but a winner must be produced this time around in Atteridgeville to determine which side qualifies for the final against Sekhukhune United or Stellenbosch FC who play later that day.
Cardoso has also reacted to Peter Shalulile tying Siyabonga Nomvete’s long-standing record of 129 goals in the PSL.
Shalulile, who was afforded a rare opportunity to lead the line against Magesi FC on Wednesday evening, scored a historic goal that saw him go joint top in the PSL all-time top goal scorers list.
Overall, the 30-year-old has scored 102 goals with 26 assists in 208 games for Sundowns, while netting 27 times for Highlands Park. In the wake of the striker’s feat, the Downs mentor expressed his delight as Shalulile etched his name in PSL history.
“Obviously that when players achieve their own objectives also and mark the history and we as a team help them to achieve those achievements, we all feel proud and happy.”