With Mamelodi Sundowns fans anxious about the return date to action of talisman Themba Zwane, head coach Miguel Cardoso has now provided an update on his recovery.
Zwane suffered an Achilles tendon tear injury while on Bafana Bafana duty in October 2024 and has been out of action since.
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He had played just two league matches for Sundowns, then under the tutelage of Manqoba Mngqithi.
With the side now gunning for an eighth consecutive league title under new head coach Cardoso, they will need all hands on deck, and the latest news is that 'Mshishi' could be back in action sooner rather than later.
"We have expectations to recover him, Mothobi [Mvala], Divine [Lunga], [Khuliso] Mudau in different steps, but they will come sooner than that (the Club World Cup)," Cardoso told journalists after a 4-1 win against TS Galaxy at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
"Let's hope, because there is one thing that is physical recovery to play football, it is another thing in football to perform. There are more steps to do.
"We should also understand that, it's not just he can train with the team, but is he able to play a game or games like this? That's another thing. We have to prepare him for that.
"It's not the same with Mudau, who stopped for one month, or Divine, who stopped [for] three weeks.
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"For Themba, that's four months [out of action], so that process will take a little bit longer," added the former Esperance tactician.
Meanwhile, the Tshwane giants take on Sekhukhune United on Wednesday with a chance to stretch their lead at the top of the standings up to 15 points.