Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Miguel Cardoso, has provided an update on the recovery of club captain Themba Zwane, who has been sidelined since October last year due to a serious Achilles injury.
Zwane, who sustained the injury during Bafana Bafana's 1-1 draw with Congo in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on artificial turf in Brazzaville, has missed 20 games for both club and country.
Read: Mokwena On Guardiola Matchup: 'You Cannot Lose'
The 35-year-old's absence is a significant blow not only to Sundowns but also to the South African national team, given Zwane's crucial role in both setups.
Cardoso acknowledged the importance of Zwane to both Sundowns and South African football, expressing his confidence in the player's recovery, while also ensuring that there is no rush for him to return before he is fully ready.
"Themba is obviously an important player, not only for Sundowns but for South African football," Cardoso told journalists after his side's 1-1 draw against AS FAR.
"He's a national team player, but there's no pressure on his recovery at all. There's still some time to go."
The coach went on to explain the severity of the injury, highlighting the long recovery process required for such a significant issue.
"It's a very strong injury that is quite severe, and in this case, the pressure is even worse. He's recovering well according to the program, but there's still time to go for sure," Cardoso added.
Read: McCarthy Emotional About Missing Chiefs Pirates Jobs