Mbule Can Be Orlando Pirates' Sta'Playa Next Season

Sipho Mbule is like the naughty, young sibling of the family: everyone loves him, but his untoward behaviour at times overrides everything that’s good about him.

Mbule joined Orlando Pirates this week after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns who had sent him out on loan to Sekhukhune United last season.

Given all his natural talents with the ball - dribbling, passing and scoring - you would have expected Pirates to be solely lauded for securing such a gem.

But they were praised in parts. Most are worried whether he’ll finally live up to expectations at the club.

Mbule Has Struggled To Be Professional

For all the talent that Mbule boasts, he has not been able to live a straightforward professional life in the last four years.

His former clubs - SuperSport United, Sundowns and Sekhukhune - had to haul him before their disciplinary committees due to ill-discipline.

Those untoward acts have all but slowly dimmed his light, with many becoming concerned that he’ll never reach his true potential, move abroad or become a Bafana Bafana regular.

Those are justifiable concerns given the number of former players who burst onto the scene full of life and promise only for their careers to be consumed by the bottle.

Clubs have structures, protocols and support systems in place. That’s why they grow tired of looking after men even after hours as they ought to know what’s good for their careers.

Mbule, 27, is not a kid anymore. He is a fully-fledged adult that should be at the peak of his career especially given his support system and football journey.

Mbule was a naughty kid even from his career-teething days at Harmony Sports Academy back home in Bethlehem in Free State.

But his then coach Pitso Mokoena did his best to protect him as he believed that he’d eventually get rid of his shenanigans and reach lofty heights.

Alas, Mbule has only scratched the surface. He’s hopping from one club to another instead of making a name for himself where it matters the most - on the pitch.

His homeboy and childhood friend, meanwhile, Teboho Mokoena has been one of the best players in top-flight football over the years.

Mbule Has A Chance To Start Afresh

But not all is lost for Mbule. He could change his life and career around if he grabs the lifeline that’s been given at Pirates with both hands.

His ill-discipline issues are all but expected to be addressed by Pirates’ management led by the non-nonsense chairman Irvin Khoza.

And luckily for Mbule he arrives at the Sea Robbers camp the same time as new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Ouaddou, who’s replacing Jose Riveiro, is no stranger to SA football, having helped Marumo Gallants avoid relegation last season.

Amid amassing success there, including guiding Gallants to the Nedbank Cup semi-final, the Moroccan also studied SA football like the back of his hand as well.

Before he was appointed for the Pirates job, he said it’d be foolish of any coach to turn down a chance to coach a team of Pirates' calibre when the opportunity presents itself.

So, if the former Fulham defender was marketing himself when he echoed those sentiments on Marawa Sports Worldwide with host Robert Marawa then he aced his role to the tee.

He didn’t only secure one of the coveted hot seats in African football, but he'll also realise the dream of coaching one of the most talented players he’s seen on the continent - Mbule.

“One of the players whose style of play I love … is Mbule,” added Ouaddou on MSW. “Mbule is a fantastic player. The kind that I would love to have in my team.

“I know that his behaviour is not so good and I think it’s just a question of management. These players need management.

“They need somebody who’ll be close to them and make them understand that they are good players. They just need to manage their lifestyle.”

Mbule Must Heed Advice

Mbule better use this opportunity wisely, and repay the faith that the coach is set to show to him because he’s surely running out of time, backers and suitors.

The trickster has made those who’ve come before him and played alongside him also worship the ground that he walks on.

So much so that his former Sekhukhune teammate and club captain Linda Mntambo raved about him recently, before offering him words of advice.

“I just hope that he understands how good he is,” said Mntambo on the Arena Sport Show with Clauiee Grace Mpanza and Mahlatse Mphahlele.

“He must also understand that age is not on his side. So needs to play his best football, and give back to the country and everyone that’s rooting for him what they deserve.

“I just pray that he gives the masses just one good season. He must do all right - he doesn’t need to even put in so much effort.

“He just needs to dedicate himself to football for one season. He should neglect all the other things on the side and just focus on football. He’ll move overseas after that.”

Final Thoughts - He Can Be Pirates’ Main Man

Mntambo is right - Mbule can still turn his fortunes around. Not only does he boast the necessary skillset, but he can be the difference at Pirates this season due to experience and big match temperament.

He won two league titles with Sundowns, and has already played continental football via the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup and African Football League.

He is like a demigod. Both his teammates and arch-rivals marvel at him on the field as he makes football look so simple and yet entertaining.

And so with Pirates in need of a gamechanger next season, someone who’ll help them overthrow Sundowns, Mbule can be that player. He has all the qualities.

Mbule already has the backing of the club and Ouaddou as they’ve risked it all to bring him on board, so all that’s left is just for him to step up and be the Sta’Playa he’s meant to be!

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