The Mamelodi Sundowns CAF Champions League final discard Themba Zwane has been named in the squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States later this month.
The 35-year-old Zwane was an unused substitute in both legs of the recent CAF showpiece, and the Sundowns coach, Miguel Cardoso, was singled out for stinging criticism on his decision not to field the club’s captain.
Former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena was recently pressed for comment on Sundowns snubbing Zwane for the final. He refused to criticise the decision except to say: “Zwane is special”.
There is a line of thought that says Cardoso might think the ageing Zwane is not up for the rigours of international football. He did not want the team to suffer due to pressure to select Zwane, the team captain.
Meanwhile, the PSL announced that Sundowns will fly out to Florida on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the squad’s Sunday departure, Cardoso said the Club World Cup represented a major career highlight for him and a unique opportunity to showcase African football at its finest.
The South African champions, one of four African representatives at the tournament, hope to make a strong impression on the global stage, but without feeling overwhelmed by expectation.
“After my experience as an assistant coach in UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches, being involved in the Club World Cup is a big achievement,” said Cardoso, who previously qualified for the tournament with Tunisian club Esperance. “For me, it’s a very particular position – a clear highlight in any coach’s career.”
Cardoso expressed the pride and responsibility he feels representing South Africa and the African continent. While fully aware of the challenge ahead, he emphasised Sundowns’ ambitions to compete fiercely.
“We know we’re one of the biggest teams in Africa, but this is a test to see where we stand on the global stage,” he said. “The mindset here is strong – focused on performance, achieving goals, and winning trophies. We want to understand our level compared to the world’s best.”
Facing powerhouse German side Borussia Dortmund in the tournament’s early stages, Cardoso is well aware of the intensity they will encounter.
“Dortmund plays a very high-tempo, aggressive style typical of German football,” he noted. “We’re used to controlling games with high ball possession – around 70 per cent – so this will be a challenge. We have to be mentally ready to adapt to moments without the ball and still push ourselves to compete.”
Cardoso also reflected on how opponents often play defensively against Sundowns, using long balls to bypass their pressure. He believes that to succeed, Sundowns must be a “very complete team” capable of handling varied styles and maintaining their aggressive approach.
Above all, Cardoso wants his players to play with freedom and enjoyment, shedding any burden of expectation.
“The worst thing would be to finish a game feeling we didn’t play to our level because we carried unnecessary weight on the pitch,” he said. “Our players should enjoy the experience and express the joy of African football – on and off the pitch.”
He also challenged outdated perceptions of African football as disorganised, pointing to the tactical discipline and quality found in the continent’s top teams.
