Teko Modise issues reality check to Sipho Mbule

South African football legend Teko Modise has sparked a massive debate surrounding the career trajectory of Orlando Pirates playmaker Sipho Mbule, suggesting that the midfielder’s brilliance has been “brewing for too long” without reaching its full, explosive potential.

Mbule, now 28, has endured a rollercoaster campaign with the Buccaneers. After a “fiery” start to the season that earned him a spot in the 2025 AFCON squad, his form has dipped significantly, leaving him as a bit-part player under Jose Riveiro and subsequently falling out of Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana setup.

Why Teko Modise Thinks Sipho Mbule is Wasting His Talent

Since his professional debut with SuperSport United in 2017, Mbule has been tipped for greatness. However, his journey has been punctuated by off-field headlines. Despite a high-profile move to Mamelodi Sundowns, disciplinary concerns saw him loaned to Sekhukhune United before his permanent switch to Pirates ahead of the current term.

While once touted by Broos as the natural successor to Themba Zwane, Mbule’s chances of making the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad now appear slim—a reality that Modise finds concerning given the player’s immense natural talent.

The Stan Matthews Intervention

Speaking on the iDiski Dine Podcast, “The General” revealed a private conversation he once had with SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews regarding Mbule’s future.

“I know I might sound like a hater. For me personally, it feels like he’s been bubbling under for so long,” Modise admitted. “I was doing a Sundowns-SuperSport game… Stan took me aside and said, ‘After you at SuperSport, the very same talent you had, the very same way I felt about you is this boy Sipho. Can you please talk to him?’”

Modise noted that he has been asked to mentor Mbule by several high-ranking figures, including the leadership at Chloorkop, yet the midfielder remains “stuck in his ways.”

Modise believes Mbule possesses the same raw ceiling as current stars like Relebohile Mofokeng, Jayden Adams, and Teboho Mokoena, but insists that talent alone is no longer enough in the modern game. He pointed to the work ethic of Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Themba “Mshishi” Zwane as the gold standard.

“The reason why Mshishi is Mshishi is that he would go and train extra every single day,” Modise explained. “The very same distractions that everyone playing football had, we had them. Social media was there. There is no excuse; it’s on you. Use us as a reference.”

As Orlando Pirates prepare for their upcoming clash against Richards Bay, the spotlight remains firmly on Mbule. Whether he can heed the advice of a Bafana legend and finally “unleash the beast” remains the biggest question mark over his career.