Broos taps Sipho Mbule after Pirates star fails creative test

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has settled on Sipho Mbule as the long-term creative heir to the ageing Themba Zwane, confirming that the recent experiment with Orlando Pirates‘ Patrick Maswanganyi was unsuccessful.

With the 36-year-old Zwane nearing the twilight of his international career and currently sidelined by injury, Broos has been actively searching for the next midfield maestro to step into the influential role.

That search has landed on Mbule, a player the Belgian coach has always rated highly, despite the midfielder’s checkered past marked by disciplinary issues at his previous clubs, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Why Sipho Mbule Gets the Nod Over Maswanganyi

Broos openly admitted that Maswanganyi, who was dropped from the latest squad, struggled to adapt to the creative demands of the national team. This prompted the coaching staff to look back at Mbule, who had a strong loan spell at Sekhukhune United last season.

“Sipho was with us from the first day I was here, and immediately I saw what a good player he was,” Broos said, explaining that it was the player’s inconsistent focus and “interests other than football” that led to his initial exclusion.

After the Maswanganyi experiment failed to deliver, Broos consulted with assistant Helman Mkhalele and decided to give Mbule a final opportunity.

“When we were looking for a replacement for Themba, we tried Patrick, and then we talked about Sipho,” Broos explained. “I said, you see how Sipho is playing… We said, okay, we will give him a chance.”

Mbule seized the opportunity with both hands, earning call-ups for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda, where he reportedly delivered “five-star” displays.

Broos’ Final Warning To Sipho Mbule

Despite the return to form, the national team coach was clear that his patience has limits, issuing a stern warning to the Buccaneers star.

Broos emphasised that this is Mbule’s last lifeline to prove his commitment to professional football.

“Listen, this is your second chance, and after this, it’s finished,” Broos recalled telling the player. “I give you a chance, if you don’t grab it with two hands, it’s done. It’s up to you.”

With Bafana Bafana having secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 AFCON finals looming, the stakes are high.

“I asked him, ‘Do you want to be here?’ and he said yes, so I said, ‘Okay, show me,’” Broos concluded, stressing that the player’s career longevity and national team future now rest entirely on his ability to maintain focus.

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