He is one of the most gifted players in the DStv Premiership but Themba Zwane has received unfair criticism and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena hits back.
Mokwena addressed the press ahead of their African Football League final encounter against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday afternoon.
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The 36-year-old Sundowns coach says Zwane’s leadership is beyond measure and although he might be soft-spoken, he remains an influential figure at Chloorkop despite criticism.
This comes as some Sundowns fans tend to criticise Zwane’s contribution to the club and Mokwena believes the supporters are just unfair.
SUNDOWNS COACH UNHAPPY WITH UNFAIR CRITICISM ON ZWANE
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Having played in 14 matches in all competitions this season for Sundowns and expected to be key for Masandawana on Sunday, Zwane remains one of the best talents ever produced in Mzansi.
“I think Themba Zwane has come under a lot of undue criticism for the performances and in my opinion, I think he has been fantastic,” said Mokwena per TimesLIVE.
“I am asking a 34-year-old to play in a different orientation. Imagine he has played as a number ten for the last 15 years where his orientation of the pitch is towards goal.
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“And all of a sudden, the coach says I need you to play as a number nine and the orientation is his back towards the goal.
“For a player of his magnitude and stature with the profile of a leader who has shown humility to accept to play in a different position and do different things shows you the character.
“Now you probably understand why over the past 12, 13 or maybe 14 years, he‘s been one of the best players in South African football because of his human qualities.
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“I think he has been amazing, he has run his legs off, and he’s helped with certain defensive organisation schemes that we set up. He’s helped with certain movements and also to try to create space and situations so that we can develop chances.”
ZWANE’S INTELLIGENCE AND NEW ROLE AT SUNDOWNS
The 34-year-old Tembisa-born creative playmaker is now acclimatising in a new role at Sundowns and Mokwena is proud of the intelligent star.
“Of course, it is not his position and he is not a specialist in that area but because he is intelligent enough, he can navigate and find himself in any situation. I have nothing but the utmost respect for ‘Mshishi’,” adds Mokwena.
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“Not only is he a demonstration that you have to be a top human being to be a top footballer but he is also demonstrating that you don’t have to be loud and aggressive to be a leader.
“You can lead through practically demonstrating by performances, effort, and by being a positive influence to your age group and the younger ones. You must see how he interacts with Siyabonga Mabena and Thapelo Maseko.
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“A lot of people last season said I had influence in making Cassius Mailula improve, but Mshishi helped Cassius improve more than I did. Mshishi has helped Peter Shalulile to improve more than I had.
“He is an amazing human being and I really think that some of the criticism has been unfair but that’s football and everybody is entitled to his opinion and this is just my opinion.”
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