Orlando Pirates great Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi has opened up about a private chat he had with Sipho Mbule, saying he felt compelled to protect one of South Africa’s rarest footballing talents.
Mbule joined the Buccaneers this season as a free agent after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns, where questions around his discipline overshadowed his ability.
His loan spell at Sekhukhune United also ended prematurely, but the 27-year-old has now been given a fresh start at Orlando Pirates.
BENEDICT VILAKAZI ON ORLANDO PIRATES STAR SIPHO MBULE
“I’m one person who likes nice thing,” the Soweto-born great said. “You know when I see a player that is good, he is always going to be close to my heart because I love good players.
“I had an opportunity to talk to him. I spoke to him, tried to encourage him, to make sure that he tries to not think about off-the-field things and try to focus on his career because he’s one of the players that is so special.
“It’s so difficult to find a player like him and when you’ve got it, as a nation we need to try and protect that talent because it takes us years to get players like Mbule, like [Relebohile] Mofokeng and Tito [Patrick Maswnganyi].
“I spoke to him and I’m so happy to see him displaying his skills in that midfield,” Vilakazi added.
KEMOGELO SEBELEBELE’S LIFE AND CAREER CHANGE
Kamogelo Sebelebele is buzzing at Orlando Pirates. The 23-year-old winger and makeshift right back has said moving from TS Galaxy to Soweto has been a game-changer for his life and career.
Sebelebele instantly showed why the Sea Robbers snapped him up: three goals in seven games, including two strikes against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final, both legs, both goals.
The impact helped to take Orlando Pirates through to the final to face Stellenbosch FC.
“My life has changed a lot because now the support I get boosts my confidence and I’m ready to show people what I can do,” Sibelele told the media. “Obviously when you play for the so-called small teams people don’t recognise you.
“So, now I’m playing for Orlando Pirates, people are seeing what I can really do,” he added.
On his selection to represent Bafana Bafana, the Tembisa-born star said: “I’m happy and excited to be here, to be given an opportunity to represent my country,” Sebelebele added.
“I’m looking forward to help the nation qualify for the World Cup,” the Orlando Pirates star concluded.
WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF HIS ORLANDO PIRATES PERFORMANCES SO FAR?
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