Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane has revealed that Orlando Pirates expressed interest in signing him, but he only learned of this after already committing to the Brazilians in 2011. The 36-year-old playmaker, now a club legend with over 450 appearances and 80 goals, explained on PitchSide that he signed his contract without even reading it, driven purely by excitement and trust in his agent. He discovered Pirates' interest only later but has never regretted his decision, crediting God for steering him to Sundowns.
Zwane’s revelation adds a fascinating what-if chapter to PSL history. The midfielder struggled to break into Sundowns' first team until 2015, but once established, he became a cornerstone of their dominance, winning 18 trophies. Had he joined Pirates, he would have battled Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali for minutes during the Buccaneers’ treble-winning era, potentially altering the trajectory of both clubs.
Now at 36 and still captaining Sundowns, Zwane’s legacy is secure as one of the league’s greatest. Fans can only speculate whether his career would have soared at Pirates, but his loyalty to Masandawana has paid off handsomely. With Sundowns chasing more silverware, Zwane remains a vital figure as they push for continental glory.