Mamelodi Sundowns legend insists club captain Themba Zwane should be leading on the pitch & not warming the bench - 'He deserves to lift that trophy'

Mamelodi Sundowns head to Cairo with a 1-1 draw from the first leg of their CAF Champions League final.

The result means they need a win or a draw better than 1-1 away from home to win the trophy.

Sundowns will be pushing to claim their second continental title, having last won it in 2016.

Club legend Teko Modise, who lifted the trophy that year, believes Themba Zwane should be on the pitch.

Modise expressed that Zwane deserves to lead the team and lift the trophy as captain.

In the first leg, Zwane was surprisingly left on the bench as an unused substitute.

His absence raised eyebrows among fans and pundits, given his experience and leadership.

Now, all eyes are on Cairo, where Masandawana will hope to finish the job and chase their second star.

"I think it’s a big opportunity. It’s gonna be tough, it’s gonna be exhausting, it’s gonna be demanding, but come to the end of the Champions League final, I want to see Sundowns lift the trophy to cement the career of Themba Zwane, who’s been magnificent," Modise said, as reported by Kickoff.

"I think he deserves to win such. He deserves to be on that pitch. He deserves to lift that trophy for Mamelodi Sundowns, and I know that the players are behind that."

Masandawana have had a solid campaign, losing just once on the road in this competition. Their consistent performances away from home offer hope ahead of the Cairo clash. Coach Miguel Cardoso explained that Zwane was rested for strategic reasons, and he wants to manage him carefully.

Masandawana face Pyramids at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo in the decisive second leg. Sundowns know what’s at stake and are expected to go all out for the win.