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Heartfelt return still leads to heartbreak
The Mercury
|December 02, 2025
IN A bittersweet twist of fate, Themba Zwane, the celebrated forward for Mamelodi Sundowns, made a much-anticipated return to the football pitch on Friday during the CAF Champions League match against Algerian hosts MC Alger.
THEMBA Zwane returned briefly for Mamelodi Sundowns but will miss Bafana Bafana's AFCON campaign, as Hugo Broos prioritises a mix of youth and experience.
(BackpagePix)
Yet, this well-deserved comeback proved too little, too late for the 36-year-old striker, who has been left out of Bafana Bafana’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco later this month.
Zwane’s brief appearance, lasting the final two minutes of a goalless encounter, was a heartening sight for fans and a testament to his perseverance and dedication to regaining match fitness.
National team coach Hugo Broos, however, opted against including him in the 25-man squad announced yesterday, citing the need for immediate readiness just weeks before the tournament.
This story is from the December 02, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
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