What uncle Jomo Sono told Rulani Mokwena about Themba Zwane

The Brazilians mentor was asked whether he was anywhere near finding a replacement for the 34-year-old Bafana Bafana international, to which he responded by disclosing that his uncle Sono takes him to task when he occasionally leaves Zwane out of the team.

"One of the greats of South African football, who just so happens to be a family member, he always says to me 'Your biggest mistake is you put Themba Zwane on the bench'. Every time when Sundowns doesn't play well, I get that message," Mokwena said.

Sono, who has argued before that ‘Mshishi’ should be given the No.10 jersey at Sundowns, feels strongly that the influential skipper should play every game.

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"When you speak of a man who's unearthed some of the greatest football players in the country's history and who was one of the greatest also, Doctor Jomo Son, he always tells me, he says to me 'You can't replace Themba Zwane, you can't, he's a generational talent," Mokwena added.

In his attempts to avoid being heavily dependent on Zwane, the Sundowns coach has at times opted to take him off early.

He praises the veteran player’s attitude even in those circumstances.

"He doesn't whinge, he doesn't whine, you get this thing sometimes with players who are at a certain level. Themba Zwane comes running off the pitch, watch yesterday [Tuesday night] when he was substituted, he's not dragging his feet and that for me is already an indication of how great he is. When you even undermine your greatness, Mshishi has that. Mshishi doesn't even know how good he really is."