Why Sipho Mbule’s signing could turn into a costly mistake for Orlando Pirates
Another chance at redemption for Mbule? Former Sekhukhune United midfielder Sipho Mbule has completed a move to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates are making headlines – but not all for the right reasons. For the second day in a row, the club have seemingly made a questionable decision.
A day after appointing head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou as Jose Riveiro’s successor, Pirates followed that up by announcing the deal to sign Sipho Mbule, who was out of favour at Mamelodi Sundowns, as they push to strengthen their squad.
On the surface, the signing of Mbule appears shrewd. A dynamic, technically gifted midfielder, he’s known for his ability to control games, pick out assists, and pass with accuracy. His work rate allows him to cover ground effectively, making him an asset in both attacking and transitional phases.
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A talented yet troubled midfielder
While his footballing ability is undeniable, it’s off the field where Pirates may run into trouble with the 27-year-old, who had an unsuccessful loan stint with Sekhukhune United last season.
Early in his stay with Babina Noko, the player arrived in poor condition at the beginning of the season. Allegedly, he often showed up to training in an unfit state, raising concerns about his off-field discipline. And when he was sober, he didn’t put in much effort on the training pitch.
The issues didn’t start at Sekhukhune – even during his time at Sundowns, he often displayed a lack of interest in training and lacked work ethic. There too, his alleged drinking habits disrupted his commitment.
A warning from experience
Junior Khanye, a former player who had issues with discipline during his playing days, said two months ago he was worried about Mbule’s professionalism.
"This boy is talented, why he is doing all this is shocking. The reason Sundowns sent him to Sekhukhune is because of such behaviour and not because of talent. This is painful because a majority of footballers are breadwinners at home. The saddest part is he will not remain at the age he is currently in for long,” Khanye was quoted by KickOff last month.
"… I don't know how many chances he wants because he saw what happened to the likes of us. It took me about 10 years to get a deal again.
A big risk with high stakes
Despite all this, the club may still have made a smart move – but only if they can keep him out of trouble. If they want to challenge Sundowns for the title, they need to ensure that Mbule is kept on a very short leash.
If Pirates can’t manage him properly, though, this signing could backfire spectacularly. Talent alone doesn’t win titles – consistency, professionalism, and discipline do.
The club’s success this season could hinge not just on Mbule’s ability, but on whether the environment around him is strong enough to keep him focused. It’s a gamble, and right now, it feels like Pirates are betting more on hope than certainty.
IOL Sport
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