Rulani Mokwena, former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, has finally addressed Themba Zwane’s surprise omission from the CAF Champions League final. While choosing his words carefully, Mokwena made it clear that he holds immense admiration for the player known affectionately as “Mshishi”.
Despite playing a central role in Sundowns clinching their historic eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title, Zwane never stepped onto the pitch during the CAF Champions League final. Many fans were left baffled by his absence from such a crucial fixture.
Speaking on Soccer Africa, Mokwena refused to criticise the decision directly, but his words carried weight.
“Yeah, it always has been that,” Rulani Mokwena said.
“But I don’t want to talk about it because I think I have expressed my feelings about how I feel about Mshishi and everybody knows.”
Mokwena didn’t hold back in highlighting Zwane’s cultural and sporting impact, calling him “special” and drawing attention to his journey from humble beginnings in Tembisa to the global stage of club football.
“Mshishi is special, and there’s more to just Mshishi being successful. Mshishi is a reflection of that, from the dusty streets of Tembisa to playing for Vardos, to going through difficulties and then, I mean how many seasons as a top professional?”
By referencing Zwane’s roots, Mokwena aligned him with the very essence of South African football, gritty, creative, and born on the streets. It’s that street football spirit, he argued, that the nation must nurture and celebrate.
“These types of people have to succeed for football to be better and stronger because we have to get back to that culture of playing street football.”
Zwane’s influence goes beyond the pitch
Mokwena painted a powerful picture of Zwane’s inspirational role for youth across the country. According to the former coach, players like Zwane are living proof to children in townships that success is attainable.
“Over and above whether or not he should be playing, I think that’s always something that is up to the coach. But I would always take my hat off and give Mshishi big respect because he speaks to the South African child.
“The Neo who is in Tembisa instead of going into the corners and really being overcome by so many social ills, he gets motivated when he says ‘hey I used to watch Themba Zwane playing on the street barefooted and there he is already going to the Club World Cup, Champions League’, he serves as an inspiration for many.”
Hints of regret? Mokwena would have played him
While he acknowledged that match-day decisions involve many unseen dynamics, Mokwena subtly hinted that, given the chance, he would have included Zwane in the final.
“I don’t know [on playing Zwane] because the dynamics are completely different. But you know as a Sundowns coach, nine out of 10 times I played Mshishi.”
That statement says it all. For Mokwena, Zwane isn’t just a footballer, he’s a symbol of hope, a player with flair rooted in authenticity, and someone who deserved his place on the biggest stage.
Do you agree with Rulani Mokwena?
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