Mamelodi Sundowns suffer huge Themba Zwane blow!

Mamelodi Sundowns are set to travel to Tanzania to take on Yanga SC, in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. 

Sundowns will be looking to get a strong result away to Yanga, to give themselves a strong chance at home.

Playing in Tanzania is known to be an extremely daunting task for any team. Whether playing against Yanga or Simba SC, the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is always filled to the brim. It is expected to be no different this weekend, for the visit of Sundowns. The Brazilians will be heading to that fixture in great form, with them still being unbeaten in the DStv Premiership. 

Zwane suspended for Sundowns game against Yanga

What they won’t have in that game, however, is one of their main reasons for maintaining that form. That is the influential figure of team captain Themba Zwane. This is because the veteran midfielder is suspended for the first leg against Yanga. This is due to an accumulation of yellow cards from Sundowns group matches. 

Zwane picked up three yellow cards in Sundowns games against TP Mazembe home and away and Pyramids FC. That will come as a welcome relief for the hosts, especially with the form the playmaker recently showed for Bafana Bafana. He is coming fresh of a brace of goals against Algeria in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Nelson Mandela Stadium. He will have to wait for the second leg in South Africa to be able to affect the tie, however. 

In the absence of Zwane, Sundowns still have a plethora of options in that position. The likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Gaston Sirino, Neo Maema, Siphelele Mkhulise, Tashreeq Matthews and Lebohang Maboe. With that amount of fire power, the Brazilians should still have enough in their arsenal to beat Yanga. 

Yanga coach and former Sundowns coach Miguel Gamondi has already given Rulani Mokwena’s side the favourites tag. That, with or without Zwane.