Themba Zwane’s expected long-term absence due to an Achilles injury is a hammer blow for club and country and could have a major impact on the next months for both.
Zwane pulled up on the artificial turf in Brazzaville where Bafana Bafana drew 1-1 with Congo in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday, and fell to the ground under no challenge clutching the back of his ankle.
It would have been at that moment that coach Hugo Broos’ heart sank, and the watching Mamelodi Sundowns technical team will have had a similar feeling of dread.
It was clear from the outset it was serious and Broos confirmed this in his post-match press conference.
“It is a big injury, it is an Achilles tendon injury. I’m afraid he will be out for months. So, again, when you lose such an important player, it becomes difficult,” Broos said.
Having lost striker Lyle Foster in the previous game against Congo, and the likes of Yaya Sithole, Mothobi Mvala and Thalente Mbatha in recent times, it is a growing concern for Broos, whose side still have work to do next month to book a place at the Cup of Nations finals.
It was noticeable how when Zwane went off, Congo took control of the game and from then on in were the better side and more likely winners.
As much as Zwane brings goals and assists, he also is the heartbeat of the team who keeps the ball moving in the midfield, and more advanced roles when he gets forward.
“Themba is someone who can keep the ball, who can give the last pass. So, he was not there and maybe that was also a reason why we didn’t play so well. Themba is a very important player for us,” Broos admitted.
Zwane was earning his 51st cap and Broos will at the very least hope he is back for a pair of crucial World Cup qualifiers in March.
But that is no guarantee with Achilles injuries and the fact that the player is 35 years old, with a body that will take longer to heal.
Orthopaedic Surgeon Dane Wukich from the UT Southwestern Medical Centre summed it up in an opening to an article he wrote: "A torn or ruptured Achilles tendon is every athlete’s – and sports fan's – greatest fear. They always seem to happen in a split second: One quick pivot or a hard hit and, just like that, you or your favourite player are sidelined for nearly a year."
What will be key is the severity of Zwane’s injury, which will dictate how long he is out for, and he is to go for scans in Brazzaville on Wednesday before Bafana fly home.
His injury record has been excellent through his career. He has made 403 appearances for Sundowns in 12-and-a-bit seasons, so is averaging 34 games a campaign.
That is an exceptional record for an outfield player over such a long period of time and testament to his ability to stay injury-free.
Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi did say that he was managing Zwane’s minutes this season to keep him fresh, but his worst nightmare has now been realised.
Like Bafana, Sundowns will miss him in those big moments when the chips are down and they need inspiration from somewhere, or a clam head to cool things down.
The sooner he is back for both, the better.