Broos on Themba Zwane situation: I was a little bit afraid
by Siya Ndlela · KickOffBafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained the return of Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane ahead of friendlies against Panama in preparation for the FIFA World Cup.
Hugo Broos' men are set to take on Panama on Friday, 27 March at Moses Mabhida Stadium and once more on Tuesday, 31 March at DHL Stadium.
The back-to-back matches will serve as preparations for the side's 202 FIFA World Cup campaign set to get underway in June.
READ: 'We expect similarities between Ghana and Bafana'
On Thursday, Broos named his final 23-man squad for the two friendlies and among the returnees to the national team is Themba Zwane.
The 36-year-old last featured for Bafana in October 2024, in an AFCON qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville, a match that marked his 50th cap. In the same match, he suffered his initial major Achilles tendon injury.
He also missed out on the 2025 AFCON after suffering a muscle injury in September 2025.
However, 'Mshishi' has returned to full action and has been a key figure for Sundowns in recent matches, much to Broos' delight.
"He makes the players around him better," Broos said on SABC Sport.
"Themba is a very experienced player. He is an intelligent player. He knows where to run; he scores. I was so happy that now he is not injured anymore because we named him back earlier, but then he had an injury again, and he was out for four or five weeks again.
"So I was then a little afraid because of his injury, more than a year ago, and his age. I thought he would go from one injury to another."
The Belgian coach said he got word from the people at Sundowns that the player who hails from Tembisa is back to full fitness and to his best. Broos said Zwane's intelligence makes him indispensable.
READ: Maboe reveals honest conversations in Chiefs dressing room
"He is a nice guy, he has a good mentality, and he can also help the younger players with his experience," averred the seasoned coach.
Among the new faces that return to the squad are Thapelo Maseko, currently on loan in Cyprus from Sundowns, and Bongokuhle Hlongwane, out in the MLS with Minnesota United in the United States.