Zwane steps up to deliver the goods
FORGET Percy Tau, Khama Billiat or Anthony Laffor for a moment. There is a Mamelodi Sundowns player who is proving to be just as important to the team.
Themba “Mshishi” Zwane is definitely one to watch for the Brazilians these days.
And here is a comparison that perhaps proves he’s growing as a player: Last season, the 27-year-old made 39 appearances in all competitions and scored six goals for Sundowns.
Zwane has already reached the six-goal mark this season and all in just 13 appearances.
“I’m very happy because I’ve been practising shooting at training and I’m managing to convert my chances. I’m happy,” said Zwane, who was again on the scoresheet when Sundowns beat Platinum Stars 2-1 at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Tuesday.
Zwane’s game is not only about attacking, but he’s also adapted well to helping out in defence and Mosimane is pleased.
“The coach wants me to go forward and give support to the strikers and even when we defend, he wants me to help. I feel like an important player.” Mosimane, meanwhile, praised Zwane and suggested that with the latter on song, the team is not missing Keagan Dolly, who left for French side Montpellier last month. “Mshishi? He’s becoming the most important player for us … he even helps us on the defensive side. When we bring the ball out [from defence], he looks after the ball and what he does is when he goes into the box, he scores. “At the rate he’s scoring, it is more than Keagan [Dolly] on the left hey. “At Sundowns, as a winger you are not there to cross the ball and then you say you gave assists. No, what is that? You must score the goals.” Mosimane acknowledged that Zwane lacks Dolly’s pace which can be vital moving forward, but he’s nonetheless been effective. “Mshishi hides his weakness of not having pace like Keagan. He knows how to hide it like the [Andres] Iniestas. They don’t have pace, but they are influential,” Mosimane added. Sundowns next match is against Bidvest Wits at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.