Orlando Pirates' technical director Stan Tshabalala has revealed how the club narrowly lost out on the signature of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana star Themba Zwane.
'Mshishi' was recently awarded the People’s Choice Award at the annual SA Sports Awards following a sensational season with Mamelodi Sundowns and for the national team.
Zwane has also previously won the Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season, Players' Player of the Season and the PSL Footballer of the Season award in the 2019/20 campaign.
However, recent revelations suggest the 33-year-old, who was signed from ABC Motsepe outfit Vardos FC in 2011, could have very nearly ended up donning the black and white of Pirates.
"With Mshishi [Themba Zwane] we lost out because of Sinky [Mnisi]," Tshabalala told GagasiFM Sports.
"We thought we were done [with the deal] and then Sinky took him to the other side [Sundowns] to get a million [Zwane's tranfer fee of R1 million], you know Sinky just wanted money.
"During those times money was scarce, if you had a million, you were rich and that’s how we lost out on Mshishi, otherwise Mshishi should have played for Pirates."
READ | Perfect Percy Tau inspires Al Ahly to CAF CL qualification
Today, the attacking midfielder is one of the first names on the Sundowns match-day team list. However, after joining the Brazilians, Zwane was sent out on loan to Mpumalanga Black Aces in 2013 by then head coach Pitso Mosimane.
"When Mshishi joined Sundowns, he was loaned to Mpumalanga Black Aces, after he was loaned, we went for him again while he was at aces," added Tshabalala.
"But then one night, around 11 or 10, Pitso called me and said ‘her bra Stan, leave this boy alone, it's not that we have dessert him, we’re still developing him to understand that football isn’t what he was playing there in Tembisa.
"That are many elements and details into understanding your craft."
You must be SIGNED IN to post and read comments.
Click here to register: https://www.snl24.com/auth/signin
