Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has revealed that his wish for Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule is to deal with whatever has been distracting him to be able to make the Bafana Bafana AFCON squad.
Mbule recently returned to the senior national team fold since 2021 playing in both 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria. The 27-year-old was initially in the preliminary squad but didn’t make the final cut however due to Patrick Maswanganyi’s injury, the ‘Master Chef’ was called upon.
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‘Mdokies’ spoke to the media including iDiski Times journalist Lethabo Kganyago in Free State, in an interview carried in edition 222 of the newspaper. He said he believes Mbule has raised his hand to be considered for AFCON later this year and that the midfielder is a work in progress.
“Mbule, definitely he is [raising his hand]” answered Khumalo when asked by IDiski Times about the former Mamelodi Sundowns man.
“Yes, I think it’s a work in progress for him at Orlando Pirates. We need to give him time to settle. But I was so impressed to see what he can offer at Orlando Pirates. And believe it or not, if he can do that at Orlando with 60,000 people and being a novice at Orlando Pirates, I strongly believe that he will be capable to give us what we want as a country in Morocco, because he’s an experienced player and a very gifted young boy.”
“I always talk about him to Hlompho Kekana. And I just hope and wish that whatever distracts him can be swept away and he can focus because what a talented young boy, and I’m his fan, you know. I would really love to see him taking this country to another level, and his football to another level. So without any doubt or fear, Mbule can be able to deliver for us as a nation.”
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