Sipho Mbule has moved all over the PSL but failed to deliver when it mattered. Will Orlando Pirates be any different, and why is he now being considered by Bafana Bafana?
A brace of assists for Bafana Bafana against Zambia has reminded Mzansi of Mbule’s talents.
However, the 27-year-old has a long way to go if he’s to prove that he’s worth the fuss.
Mbule’s old problems are still apparent at Orlando Pirates
Sipho Mbule has made a satisfactory start to his career with Pirates. However, old habits die hard. Despite getting his hands on the MTN8 title already this term, the 27-year-old playmaker has so far failed to register a single goal or assist in 14 appearances for the Sea Robbers. It might be justified to claim that Mbule lacks killer instinct at the sharp end of the pitch.
What does Mbule bring to the party?
At the start of his career with the now-defunct SuperSport United, Mbule was a deeper-lying midfielder in the mould of Teboho Mokoena. Had he stayed in that role, perhaps we wouldn’t be judging him so strictly on his numbers in the final third. However, he’s now being used as number 10 for club and country, and he’ll need to directly contribute to goals and assists; otherwise, questions will be asked. A brace of assists against Zambia in a relatively meaningless friendly is all good and well, but Mbule hasn’t got any goals or assists in his last 20 competitive outings. The schemer has only collected a dismal tally of seven caps for South Africa since his debut in 2017.
Is he too ponderous? Does he have too much time on the ball? Does he overthink these things? If Bafana boss Hugo Broos is forced into picking Mbule for the 2025 AFCON, the Belgian boss has big problems.
Mabasa is too good to sit on the bench for Orlando Pirates
Tshegofatso Mabasa was the finest striker in the country in 2024. However, he might have no option but to leave as he sits behind several players in the pecking order. 23-year-old Yanela Mbuthuma has scored a match-winning brace off the bench in the club’s last league match, a 3-1 success at Golden Arrows. Mabasa, despite being a fringe operator this term, still has four goals and an assist from 10 appearances across all competitions.