Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has shared his thoughts on the situation faced by Themba Zwane at Mamelodi Sundowns after his latest injury concern.
Zwane has injury concerns again after being forced out just 15 minutes into the MTN8 semi-final first leg against Orlando Pirates a fortnight ago.
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At the time of this latest injury, he had been involved in all matches this season for the club after also having featured in all games at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The veteran midfielder returned to action at the end of April after having ruptured his Achilles tendon on October 15 last year while on Bafana Bafana duty.
That injury kept him out for six months.
"You know, this is not a not a surprise for me if you are at that age and you have that injury," says Broos of the 36-year-old.
"I was afraid that it might be the end of the career of Themba.
"This was not a little muscle injury, it was an Achilles.
"He worked very hard, he worked very hard, and I think now he is paying a little bit the bill because before this Themba was never injured.
"And it is a little bit ‘normal’ that this happens with him.
"So, I think he is fully recovered, but I think in the future, Sundowns has to be careful with him.
"I think at that age and after such an injury, you can’t ask a player to play every game again, certainly taking into account his age.
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"So, I think they have to be careful with him in the future because otherwise I’m afraid Themba will go from one injury to another.
"And I count on him and hope that he will be good and that we can count on him in the next months for AFCON and even maybe for the World Cup," says Broos.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
