The return of Themba Zwane to the Bafana Bafana setup could put Sipho Mbule’s hopes of securing a 2026 FIFA World Cup squad place under threat.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star had been absent from the national team for nearly 17 months due to injury.
A long-term setback kept him sidelined for several months, forcing him to miss a number of the team’s World Cup qualifying matches.
“Mshishi” briefly returned to action in August last year but suffered another injury shortly after his comeback. However, the 35-year-old returned to action in January and has looked impressive since making his latest return.
Zwane has featured in 14 matches for Sundowns this season, although many of those appearances have come from the bench.
Will Zwane edge out Mbule?
During Zwane’s absence from the national team, Bafana coach Hugo Broos opted to deploy Mbule in the number 10 role. The former Sundowns midfielder enjoyed a strong six-month spell with the national side and quickly established himself as one of the team’s most influential players.
However, his recent struggles at Orlando Pirates have raised concerns. Mbule has been left out of the Buccaneers’ squad in recent weeks, a situation that appears to have impacted his national team prospects.
In the latest 37-man Bafana Bafana squad, Mbule was omitted, while Zwane was recalled.
Zwane was instrumental for South Africa during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Bafana reached the semi-finals. His return could once again provide creativity and stability in the number 10 position.
