“Mshishi” hits just the right keys in Downs’ piano

When Mamelodi Sundowns are in fine tune and command the game with their shoe-shine and piano brand of football, players like Andile Jali and Rivaldo Coetzee are responsible for making sure that the piano is firmly pinned on the stage while the likes of Themba Zwane and Gaston Sirino make sure they hit the perfect notes.

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Zwane, in particular, has been the conductor and master of Sundowns’ style of play for the past couple of seasons, and even though he does not bag too many Man-of-the-Match accolades, his coach, Rulani Mokwena, believes that “Mshishi” is at the peak of his prowess and will continue to be key for Downs this season.   

“What Themba gives to this team is what we want in relation to the movements in and around the box. He has become a lot stiffer on the ball, which is good,” said Mokwena.

The Masandawana co-head coach says Zwane needs to be fueled with happiness and you will see the best out of him. The 32-year-old is one player who does not like being substituted out as you’d often see him hanging his hands in the sky, gesturing some disapproval whenever his number is raised on the fourth official’s board. It is because of Sundowns’ rotation policy that sees the influential playmaker getting few minutes in some instances.

“He always plays with a smile on his face and that is what we encourage him to do. We want him to enjoy the game and to do the best that he can for the team and that is what he is doing together with his teammates. It is always good to see him gliding on the ball and showing a sense of excitement, passion and enjoyment. When he is happy, “Mshishi” expresses himself in a way that nobody in this league does.

Mokwena added that Zwane’s improvement in some areas is the reason why the team models most of their moves forward around him as he is often deployed in a free-role, operating mostly as a No.10 and an eight in some instances.

“When Themba plays well, the team seem to orientate a lot of the attacking schemes through “Mshishi”. His intensity when we have lost the ball has improved dramatically and if you see a lot of the goals that we scored this season, “Mshishi” has been involved in the high press and the counter press to assist the team to regain the ball… these are the signs that have been consistently showing in his game. He shows a lot more safety with the ball and a lot more creativity in and around the box.”