Mbule

Sipho Mbule of Supersport United challenged by Phathutshedzo Nange of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 match between Supersport United and Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: BackpagePix

Advice to Mbule: Don’t feel like a victim at SuperSport United

Former Bafana player Alton Meiring says out-of-favour Sipho Mbule needs to show mental strength rather than just sulk at SuperSport United.

Mbule

Sipho Mbule of Supersport United challenged by Phathutshedzo Nange of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 match between Supersport United and Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: BackpagePix

Mbule was one of the players who was at the centre of numerous stories during the transfer window, with SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews delivering a scathing review of his conditioning after the Christmas break.

READ | WEST AFRICAN ‘MYSTERY’ STRIKER COULD STILL BE ON KAIZER CHIEFS’ RADAR

Speaking to SA FM, Matthews said Mbule’s ill-discipline is the reason he would not be sold to any club at this stage, despite having reportedly been on the radar of both Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in this past January transfer window.

Matthews said while Mbule arrived at the same time as Teboho Mokoena at SuperSport United, he hasn’t done enough to take his football to another level. By contrast, Mokoena was one of the players who secured a big-money move to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mbule may be one of the well-known figures in Kaitano Tembo’s team, but he hasn’t played since 24 November 2021 when SuperSport United held Sundowns to a 2-2 draw. He missed Matsatsantsa’s final five league matches of 2021, and that surely added to talk that he could seek an exit.

Previously, his agent Mike Makaab said everything regarding Mbule’s future will be clearer by May, with the feeling being that he will leave SuperSport at the end of the season.

“Mbule just needs to keep working because there is always reward for putting in the hard work,” former Sundowns and South Africa player Aton Meiring has now told KickOff.com.

“He (Mbule) must still keep working on earning that move that he desires the same way he has done in raising the interest in the past. This is his career and so he must be first to show the desire. 

“The player might not be happy, but the club cannot stop him from the joy of working towards what he needs for his career. He has a contract and so must honour it by working the same way he has done all these years. 

“He must also look into his lifestyle instead of feeling like a victim in this situation. It is up to how strong he is in this situation.

“He must be the first at training and last to leave so that he sends a message to the club about that his mind is up to it.”

READ | MCCARTHY: LOSING SITHEBE TO CHIEFS OPENS UP A NICE SPOT FOR MOBARA!

Could doors still open for Mbule in Europe?

In a recent interview, the player’s representative also made a bold prediction that Mbule could even earn interest from overseas.

“His desire is to make a move to further his career,” Makaab said on Gagasi FM.

“He wants a move but he’s prepared to role his sleeves up and work his socks off for the next part of the season.

“He understands that he’s going to have to really work hard and show those people that have faith in him that he’s going to be the next big thing in South African football.

“I’m absolutely confident that we’re going to see a Sipho Mbule in the next three to four months that is going to set this league alight and it wouldn’t surprise me if we wouldn’t open the doors in Europe for him.”

READ | CHIEFS COACH PLEADS FOR CONSIDERED DECISION OVER COVID-19 SITUATION