Where is Sipho Mbule? Continued absence for Orlando Pirates raises fears for his World Cup place
Since the Africa Cup of Nations ended, Sipho Mbule has been left out of Orlando Pirates’ match day squad for the last three matches.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Sipho Mbule was once again missing from Orlando Pirates’ matchday squad during Tuesday evening’s 2-0 win over AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
It was the third game in a row that Master Chef had missed, and fans are already wondering what that might mean for his season.
Mbule joined Pirates at the beginning of the campaign after a difficult three-year spell at Mamelodi Sundowns that was marred by ill-discipline. His move to Ezimnyama ngenkani was meant to represent a fresh start for one of the most talented footballers in South Africa.
Early signs suggested he had rediscovered his rhythm. Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos was sufficiently impressed to recall him to the national setup, where Mbule performed well in World Cup qualifiers and earned a place in the Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Since Afcon ended, however, Mbule has not been seen on the pitch. His continued absence has inevitably sparked speculation on social media, fuelled by a lack of clarity around his situation.
Giving his reasons for leaving Mbule out last weekend, Abdeslam Ouaddou insisted the decision was purely tactical.
“We have a lot of games coming, especially next week. We are playing against AmaZulu, and the cup [the Nedbank Cup, against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Saturday],” Ouaddou said.
“So, since we are going to play every three days, it’s very important to manage the workload of the players.”
Ouaddou offered a similar explanation earlier in the season when Tshegofatso Mabasa was left out of the squad. Mabasa, however, went on to join Stellenbosch FC on loan last month without having kicked a ball for Orlando Pirates, a parallel that has done little to ease concerns among supporters.
When at his best, Mbule remains a genius with a football at his feet. He combines rare technical talent with game-breaking imagination, capable of controlling tempo, unlocking defences and changing matches with a single moment of audacity.
With the World Cup later this year, that quality is something Broos would desperately want at his disposal. The Belgian coach will be particularly frustrated by the 27-year-old’s lack of game time, especially given that it was under his guidance that Mbule emerged as a key figure for the national team. Losing him due to a lack of competitive football would be a significant blow.
South Africans will also be robbed of seeing one of our most gifted players showcasing his ability on the global stage. Fans can only hope that whatever is happening with him is sorted out soon, and that he gets back on the field to ensure he keeps his place in the national team for the World Cup.
The longer his absence stretches, the louder the rumours become. South African football knows all too well how rare players like him are, and how painful it is when brilliance is left watching from the stands instead of making things happen on the field.
IOL Sport
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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