Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has expressed his disappointment over the absence of Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Themba Zwane as the national team prepares for the crucial final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Zwane, who has been a key figure for both Sundowns and the national team, will not be available for selection, and Broos admitted that his absence will be a significant blow to the squad.
Broos highlighted Zwane’s experience and leadership qualities, which are vital for a team aiming to secure qualification for the upcoming continental tournament. The veteran midfielder has been a consistent performer in the PSL and for Bafana Bafana, and his creativity in the middle of the park would have been invaluable for the final push in the qualifiers. Broos acknowledged that while South Africa has a wealth of talent, losing a player like Zwane, especially in such an important phase of the qualifiers, is a setback.
Despite this challenge, Broos remains focused on preparing the rest of the squad to step up and deliver results in Zwane’s absence. The coach is confident that other players will rise to the occasion, but he also emphasized that Zwane’s leadership and quality on the ball would be sorely missed as they aim to secure their place in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
