Mamelodi Sundowns legend Themba “Mshishi” Zwane has opened up about the secret tug-of-war for his signature that took place over a decade ago. The 36-year-old maestro, who has become the personification of Masandawana’s success, revealed that Orlando Pirates were hot on his heels before he committed his future to Chloorkop.
In a candid interview on PitchSide, the Sundowns captain reflected on the whirlwind week in 2011 that changed the trajectory of South African football history.
The Secret Interest
Zwane’s rise began at the famous Philly’s Games, which quickly led to a national U23 call-up. It was during this camp that his former boss at Vardos FC, Sinky Mnisi, made the life-changing call.
“He was like, ‘Ey, Sundowns are really interested, they are serious,'” Zwane recalled. “But he never told me about Pirates, only about Sundowns. I was so excited, I said ‘for me, I can sign any time.'”
Signing with Blind Trust
Driven by pure excitement and trust in his mentor, Zwane left the national camp briefly to finalize his move to the Brazilians. He admits he didn’t even scrutinize the paperwork.
- The Contract: “I just went and signed. I didn’t even look at what was in the contract because I trusted Bra Sinky.”
- The Revelation: It was only after the ink was dry that Mshishi discovered the Sea Robbers had also been vying for his talents.
- No Regrets: “I found out later that Pirates were interested, but I had already signed and never looked back. I thank God for the decision.”
The “What If?” – Zwane at Pirates
Zwane’s decision to join Sundowns resulted in a legendary 15-year career featuring:
- 450+ Appearances
- 80 Goals
- 18 Trophies
Had he chosen the black and white of Orlando Pirates in 2011, he would have joined a “Double Treble” winning side, competing for a spot alongside midfield icons Andile Jali and Oupa Manyisa. While he struggled to break into the Sundowns starting XI initially (only becoming a mainstay around 2015), his eventual rise turned him into arguably the greatest playmaker of the modern PSL era.
