FIFA Club World Cup: Kekana discusses Themba Zwane situation at Sundowns

Photo Credit – Mamelodi Sundowns.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana has given his thoughts on the return of Themba Zwane from injury ahead of the FIFA World Club Cup in the USA.

The 35-year-old suffered an Achilles tendon injury during the AFCON qualifier against Congo in October last year, keeping him out of action for close to seven months.

He made a return to the squad when the Brazilians secured a 3-0 win against Richards Bay FC in the Betway Premiership, before featuring again in Sundowns’ 1-1 draw against Al Ahly in Egypt, which booked them a spot in this year’s CAF Champions League final.

“To be honest, Shika [Zwane] is like any player in the Mamelodi Sundowns team, a coach would love to have a player like him fit, and I’m sure with the group selected to go to the USA, he’ll want to use everybody in those group matches,” Kekana told SABC Sports.

“Group matches, you’ll want to try and win, but at the same time, as players, you want to learn and see what you can do, especially against those international teams.

“So I’m sure Themba will love to have a run, and would love to take the field as the captain of the team, but it’s not only Themba, of course, there are other players who didn’t play [in the Champions League final].

“Bathusi Aubaas, I think, has done so well this season, and I think he will want to have a run in the Club World Cup, so yeah, it’s a space where everybody wants to take part.”

Tuesday, June 17 vs. Ulsan HD

• Venue: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida

• Time: 6:00 PM (Local Time) / 12:00 AM SAST (on June 18)

Saturday, June 21 vs. Borussia Dortmund

• Venue: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Time: 12:00 PM (Local Time) / 6:00 PM SAST

Wednesday, June 25 vs. Fluminense

• Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

• Time: 3:00 PM (Local Time) / 9:00 PM SAST

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