Zwane Confirms Fitness Ahead Of AFCON After Long Injury Layoff

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane has confirmed that he will be available for selection for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after recovering from another minor injury.

Zwane missed Bafana Bafana’s recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers due to the injury he sustained during a Betway Premiership clash against Magesi FC earlier this season.

The 36-year-old has not featured for the national team since suffering an ACL injury during the AFCON qualifiers against Congo in October last year.

Because of the severity of the injury, Zwane was ruled out of the March, September, and October World Cup qualifiers. However, Bafana Bafana still managed to book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Coach Hugo Broos previously expressed hope that Zwane would recover in time for AFCON, and that now appears to be coming true — a major boost for the national side.

With the AFCON set to kick off on 21 December 2025 in Morocco, Zwane has expressed confidence that he will be ready.

“One hundred percent,” the Sundowns skipper said when asked if he would be fit for the tournament.

Zwane added that he is fully healed and working to build up his strength and match sharpness.

“I’m feeling good now. I’m alright — I can run without pain,” he said. “Right now, it’s just about doing more strengthening work so I can be stronger. I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is set to announce his final squad for the upcoming international friendly against Zambia on Thursday.

The match is scheduled for 14 November, with the venue also expected to be confirmed on the same day.