Latest news with #ThembaZwane

Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Fluminense becomes fourth Brazilian side to reach last 16 at Club World Cup
Fluminense's Agustin Canobbio in action with Mamelodi Sundowns' Themba Zwane and Khuliso Mudau. PHOTO: REUTERS Fluminense becomes fourth Brazilian side to reach last 16 at Club World Cup MIAMI - Fluminense completed a full Brazilian contingent in the Club World Cup round of 16 after a goalless draw with Mamelodi Sundowns secured their progression from Group F on June 25. Despite being on the back foot for much of the match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, Fluminense advanced after finishing second in the group with five points, two behind group winners Borussia Dortmund, who edged Ulsan HD 1-0. The result set up a last-16 clash on June 30 in Charlotte, where Fluminense will face either River Plate, Inter Milan, or Monterrey. They join fellow Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Botafogo in the business end of the 32-club tournament. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


The Star
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Fluminense becomes fourth Brazilian side to reach last 16 at Club World Cup
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Mamelodi Sundowns v Fluminense - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 25, 2025 Fluminense's Agustin Canobbio in action with Mamelodi Sundowns' Themba Zwane and Khuliso Mudau IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Sam Navarro MIAMI (Reuters) -Fluminense completed a full Brazilian contingent in the Club World Cup round of 16 after a goalless draw with Mamelodi Sundowns secured their progression from Group F on Wednesday. Despite being on the back foot for much of the match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, Fluminense advanced after finishing second in the group with five points, two behind group winners Borussia Dortmund, who edged Ulsan HD 1-0. The result set up a last-16 clash next Monday in Charlotte, where Fluminense will face either River Plate, Inter Milan, or Monterrey. They join fellow Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Botafogo in the business end of the 32-club tournament. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Pritha Sarkar)


The Citizen
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Cardoso's Zwane U-Turn raises more questions than answers
When asked whether Zwane's inclusion was influenced by public pressure, his response lacked sincerity. Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup game against Ulsan HD at Inter & Co Stadium in Florida, USA on 17 June 2025 © Lynne Gleeson/BackpagePix If there was one match Mamelodi Sundowns simply had to win to stand a realistic chance of progressing from Group F at the FIFA Club World Cup, it was their opener against Ulsan HD. With Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense on the horizon, the South African champions faced their most manageable challenge against the Korean side. ALSO READ: Real Madrid held as Juve triumph in Club World Cup openers The narrow 1-0 victory over Ulsan has significantly boosted their hopes of reaching the last 16. The Brazilians played with composure, control and dominated large spells of the match. A key talking point was the return of Themba Zwane to the starting line-up, an inclusion that once again highlighted just how costly his omission from the CAF Champions League final defeat to Pyramids FC may have been. Many will say we should let sleeping dogs lie, but what Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said in the post-match press conference did not sit well with me. When asked whether Zwane's inclusion was influenced by public pressure, his response lacked sincerity. Rather than taking responsibility or give football reasons for his decision, Cardoso appeared to deflect blame. He claimed that his previous decision had been misconstrued and suggested that it was important to wait for the 'right opportunity' to play Zwane. In part, his exact words were: 'It was important to give him the right opportunity so that he can perform, and today was the right opportunity for him to play.' Make of that what you will, but for many Sundowns fans and club legends, that statement only reinforces the view that leaving Zwane out of the final was a missed opportunity. Surely, there's no better occasion to field one of your best players than in a continental final. It took nine years for Sundowns to contest another champions league final after winning back in 2016. Maybe I'm being harsh but Cardoso's explanation feels like a weak attempt at spinning the situation which was somewhat self-orchestrated. He also mentioned that Zwane had trained and prepared well over the past two weeks, hence his recall to the starting XI, but this only raises further questions. If Zwane was not fit or ready to play in the final, why was he named on the bench to begin with? In the build-up to that decisive match, Zwane had featured off the bench in domestic fixtures against Magesi FC, Stellenbosch FC, Chippa United, Cape Town City, and Richards Bay. More tellingly, he played in both legs of the CAF Champions League semi-final against Al Ahly. He came on in the 65th minute of the return leg and helped turn the tie around when they desperately needed an away goal in Egypt. I think the idea that Zwane was not ready undermines the intelligence of the Yellow Nation. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Cardoso dismisses Zwane selection pressure claims Had it not been for the backlash following the Pyramids defeat, his reintroduction in this global showpiece may have been deemed premature.


Forbes
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
How Themba Zwane And Mamelodi Sundowns Are Taking Shoe Shine & Piano To The World Stage
When Themba Zwane steps onto the pitch to begin South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns' FIFA Club World Cup campaign, he won't just be representing the Pretoria-based club. He will be carrying the hopes of a continent and the pride of a club that has grown from a domestic powerhouse to a global competitor. Zwane, is no stranger to the elite competition, having been part of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad that featured at the Club World Cup in 2016, following their historic CAF Champions League victory under then-coach Pitso Mosimane. However, this time, he returns older, wiser under the tutelage of Head Coach Miguel Cardoso, and with the captain's armband on his sleeve, a symbol of how far both he and the club have come. 'Obviously we are excited as a team,' Zwane shared with and other international media. 'We're going to represent Africa as a whole. It's the kind of experience every player dreams of, to go there, compete at a high level, and test how far you've come.' Mamelodi Sundowns have been drawn into a fiercely competitive Group F, alongside South Korea's Ulsan HD, Brazilian giants Flamengo, and German Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund. This draw reflects the evolution of the tournament, which is no longer simply a coronation of European and South American champions but a genuine clash of footballing cultures from around the globe. For Sundowns, this presents an opportunity to showcase their growth not only as a club but also as a symbol of African excellence. Over the past decade, they have solidified their status as a domestic powerhouse while also becoming a prominent presence in CAF inter-club competitions. Their playing style is one of the most distinctive on the continent. Affectionately known as 'Shoe Shine and Piano,' Sundowns play a possession-based brand of football characterised by control, patience, and precision. Similar to Barcelona's tiki-taka or Manchester City's positional play, the Brazilians of South African football prioritize ball retention, building from the back, circulating the ball methodically, and waiting for the opportune moment to break through the opposition. In the recently concluded season, they averaged 67% ball possession, often wearing down their opponents through a high volume of passes and movement. This style not only showcases tactical sophistication but also enables Sundowns to dictate the tempo of matches, reducing chaos and maximising their strengths in tight spaces. Zwane embodies this philosophy; he remains calm under pressure, is intelligent in his positioning, and has the capability to change a game with a single touch. He is a leader forged through consistency rather than theatrics. 'Our confidence is high,' he asserts. 'So far, so good. We have prepared very well for the Club World Cup, and I believe we have enough depth and quality to compete in the tournament.' That quiet confidence is well-earned. Despite their recent disappointment in the CAF Champions League Final, where they fell to Egyptian side Pyramids FC, Sundowns' campaign was marked by resilience and tactical maturity. Rather than diminishing their stature, the loss offered valuable lessons, particularly for a squad that has become accustomed to continental pressure. What sets this iteration of Sundowns apart from the 2016 squad is the team's sustained exposure to top-tier African football. Over the past eight years, they've consistently reached the latter stages of the CAF Champions League, gaining invaluable experience. Several players have also featured for Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national team, which recently claimed a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and currently leads its FIFA World Cup qualification group. This cross-pollination between club and country has bred a group of players who are not just technically capable, but mentally battle-hardened. 'It's exciting, you know, as a player to go into such a tournament,' Zwane says. 'You want to be in these games, to see how far you've come as a player, and to compete with the best.' The allure of the Club World Cup is undeniable. For players, it offers a rare platform to measure themselves against clubs with some of the deepest talent pools and most sophisticated footballing infrastructures in the world. For clubs like Sundowns, it's a chance to gain visibility and alter the narrative around African football. Zwane is aware of the stakes, and the responsibility. 'We've been watching them,' he says of Sundowns' upcoming opponents. 'We know they are good teams with good players. We respect them but we don't fear them. We'll go there, play our football, and try to match them in terms of quality and the pace of the game.' That mindset, respect without intimidation, reflects the growing maturity of African clubs on the world stage. No longer content to simply participate, teams like Sundowns are arriving with the intention to compete and to win. And beyond the tactical and technical elements, Zwane believes this moment carries symbolic power. 'We just give hope to other teams in Africa, that it's doable,' he says. 'Hopefully next time, we have more numbers going that side to represent Africans as a nation.' His words are a rallying cry, not just for his teammates, but for clubs across the continent that have long fought for credibility in global football. Sundowns' return to the Club World Cup comes at a time when African talent is being increasingly recognised across Europe and the Americas, but club-level respect still lags behind. With a seasoned coach, a data-driven football department, and a squad built for continental consistency, Sundowns have positioned themselves not just as South Africa's leading club, but as a model for how African teams can build long-term competitiveness. Their participation in the expanded Club World Cup format serves as both a reward and an opportunity. For Zwane, this journey is also personal. At 34, he remains at the heart of Sundowns' midfield, a metronome with vision and composure. And while football is his profession, he is inspired by an unlikely source: NBA superstar Stephen Curry. 'In America, I only enjoy basketball,' he reveals. 'My favourite athlete is Steph Curry. I always watch him, and I follow his interviews. He's always positive, always working hard. It would be a pleasure to meet him, hopefully.' With a balanced squad, tactical depth, and a captain who blends experience with humility, Mamelodi Sundowns are not arriving at the Club World Cup as mere participants. They are coming to compete. And for Zwane, who has seen the highs, lows, and evolution of this team, the return to the world stage feels like a mission renewed. 'It feels great,' he says, smiling. 'To be part of this journey again, it's an honour. We're ready.'

IOL News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns out to prove that they belong among world's best at Fifa Club World Cup
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane will hope to lift the Fifa Club World Cup trophy in the United States. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Mamelodi Sundowns have continued to grow in stature both on the domestic front and across the African continent. As they embark on yet another significant chapter in their illustrious journey, their participation in the Fifa Club World Cup stands as a powerful testament to their sustained excellence over the past decade. This tournament marks the Brazilians' second appearance on the global stage, having previously featured in 2016 under the leadership of Pitso Mosimane, who guided the club to their first-ever CAF Champions League title earlier that year. Their debut at the Club World Cup presented a stern challenge, as they returned home with two defeats from two matches, offering them valuable lessons about football at the highest level. This time, however, they approach the competition with greater maturity and deeper continental experience. As the tournament unfolds, three key elements could be vital to their prospects in the United States... Key veteran figures Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Among the current Sundowns squad are experienced players who have not only played central roles in the club's rise over the last 10 years, but also featured during their first-ever Club World Cup campaign in Japan in 2016. Thapelo Morena, Denis Onyango and club captain Themba Zwane were all part of that 23-man squad, and their consistency has kept them relevant and influential even today. Their familiarity with the demands of this kind of tournament – even through past disappointments – could prove vital, particularly for Zwane, whose leadership will be central in setting the tone for the team both on and off the pitch. Experience from top-level competition The current edition of the Club World Cup is historic, being the first to include 32 teams in a format that mirrors the structure of the Fifa World Cup for national sides. Sundowns are among the elite clubs competing and will be up against world-class opposition in the group stages, including German giants Borussia Dortmund, South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai and Brazilian outfit Fluminense. Historically, African clubs have found it tough in tournaments of this nature, with only a few – such as Morocco's national team at the 2022 World Cup – making it into the semi-finals. However, what sets this Sundowns side apart is their sustained exposure to CAF Champions League football, and the fact that several players have also been part of the Bafana Bafana team that recently secured a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and are currently leading their Fifa World Cup qualification group. While the level may differ from what they face at the World Cup, the intensity and tactical demands of these competitions will serve them well for their upcoming challenges. Maintaining footballing identity