Zwane ‘can’t be replaced’

South Africans might have to wait a little longer to unearth another talent in the mould of decorated Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane (below).

That’s according to his coach Rulani Mokwena, who was asked if they had a succession plan for the veteran midfielder, who will turn 35 in August this year.

It’s a closed debate that Bafana Bafana struggle without Zwane and Hugo Broos has in the past admitted that he’s looking for his replacement in the team.

That tone seemed to have changed this week when Broos announced his squad to face Andorra and Algeria in the Fifa series of international friendlies later this month.

The Belgian has identified 25-year-old Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi, who’s currently in red-hot form, as a possible solution to the “Zwane conundrum” in the national set-up.

“We can’t replace him. One of the greats of South African football who happens to be a family member (Jomo Sono) always says to me that your biggest mistake is putting Themba Zwane on the bench,” Mokwena said before revealing exchanges with his uncle and Pirates legend Jomo Sono about Zwane.

“Everytime Sundowns don’t play well, I always get that message from him. You speak of a man who has unearthed some of the best footballers in the country’s history.

“He was one of the greatest, Jomo Sono, and he always tells me that you can’t replace Themba Zwane because he is a generational talent and a good person.”

Mokwena believes Zwane’s selfless nature is what also puts him head and shoulders above his peers.

The Tembisa-born midfielder has been used sparingly this season to manage the workload in what was always going to be a grueling schedule.