Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits to Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane 'biggest mistake' - 'I think he is not a stupid guy'

After being appointed Bafana Bafana coach in May 2021, Hugo Broos did not make Themba Zwane part of his squad, arguing the midfielder did not fit into his age preference.

But after the experienced attacking linkman's performances for Mamelodi Sundowns forced the Belgian to change his mind on the player who is now national team vice-captain.

Zwane returned to the national side in September 2022 and since then, he has been a key Bafana player and Broos admitted he initialy made a blunder on the 35-year-old.

“This may be my biggest mistake I made here in South Africa, not to take him from the first minute. Themba is not only a good player but also a good human being," Broos told reporters.

"And when he came the first time to the team, I explained to him why he wasn’t with us from the beginning, and I think he is not a stupid guy. 

"He understood it and maybe he had to say, also coach, maybe you were right at that moment," added the former Cameroon coach.

"But I gave him full confidence from the beginning. I asked him to play in a certain way. Themba for us is the man who has to play between the lines.

“And since his first games with us, he became better and better. And again, I said this already months ago we have to look little by little to replace Themba because there will be one moment it will be finished. He’s 35 already," continued the 2017 Afcon-winning tactician.

“That’s the last thing I wanted to replace him to have an injury like this and I pray to God that he will be fine again after recovery. Really, I pray to God because Themba doesn’t deserve that.” 

With Zwane out of the upcoming 2025 Afcon qualifiers, Broos is keen on finding a player who will aptly replace the Sundowns star.

Expectations have been on Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi to step into Zwane's shoesbut he is yet to pick some good form while in national team colours.

However, Broos maintains faith in Maswanganyi and has tipped him to become Zwane's replacement.

The Sundowns skipper continues with rehabilitation after tearing his Achilles tendons against Congo-Brazzaville in October and was ruled out for the rest of the year.

Broos will be hoping they will not feel his absence in the crucial matches where Bafana just need a point to qualify for Afcon.