Miguel Cardoso is facing the same dilemma with Themba Zwane that Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos initially encountered when he arrived in South Africa. Like Broos, the Mamelodi Sundowns head coach is learning the hard way. It’s difficult to justify leaving Zwane on the bench for both legs of the CAF Champions League final against Pyramids FC.
That decision wasn’t smart—in fact, it was nonsensical. Finals are often decided by the smallest margins, and Zwane could have been the difference-maker, especially in the first leg. Protecting the 1–0 lead would have put Sundowns in a stronger position.
Instead, the veteran midfielder remained on the bench for the entire 180 minutes, even as Sundowns struggled to control the game against the Egyptians, who ultimately won the tie 3-2 on aggregate. The team lacked creativity, leadership, and vision, while one of the club’s greatest players watched from the sidelines.
Sundowns’ attack struggled to connect meaningful passes, and it was clear that the game was lost due to decisions from the bench. The technical team missed a golden opportunity to secure Sundowns’ second continental title.
This mirrors the mistake Broos initially made by overlooking Zwane, though he later recognized the midfielder’s generational talent. Without Zwane, Bafana Bafana likely wouldn’t have claimed bronze at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
Cardoso’s refusal to explain why Zwane remained an unused substitute only adds to the confusion. He must understand what Zwane means to the Masandawana faithful. Imagine Portugal losing a major match with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench—it would dominate global headlines.
That’s the consequence of undervaluing generational talents. Ronaldo’s global fame and iconic celebration didn’t happen by accident. For Sundowns, Zwane holds that same stature—even his teammates admire him, as seen when they replicated his celebration during his injury absence.
His presence alone could have provided the fight and belief Cardoso said was missing. Ignoring your captain in such crucial matches is short-sighted, and that’s exactly what happened in Tshwane and Cairo—leading to Sundowns’ downfall.