On Tuesday, Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, clapped back at detractors of former SuperSport United midfielder, Sipho Mbule. Mokwena suggested that Mbule’s lack of breaking into the line-up could be because he needs to get used to a different position.
“People thought I was crazy when we played Musa Nyatama at six at (Orlando) Pirates, so Sipho Mbule in my opinion is a six, an eight at most but in how we want to construct things and the schemes,” Mokwena said in a press conference after their win over Matsatsantsa.
“Sipho Mbule has this, the press resistance to be able to beat the press, incredible footballer but you have to keep the leash strong but that’s talented human beings,” he added.
The former Pirates coach then expanded on Mbule’s previous disciplinary issues as a challenge faced by talented human beings. The 24-year old was labelled “unprofessional” in his conduct to allegedly force a move to Sundowns by SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews in January last year, and was suspended by United in April 2022 for “disrespecting his teammates and the technical team” before he was eventually sold to the Brazilians.
“Maybe one of your former colleagues Hosea (Ramphekwa), he has a book called ‘Gifted, Hunted and Haunted’ he wrote that book. I want to get Sipho Mbule that copy because it’s very true,” Mokwena said.
“The most talented beings, you can go to Whitney Houston, your Michael Jacksons and then it’s because you’re talented sometimes you’ve got so many knives that are for you. And some of them are even close to you and so Sipho needs all the love and support that he can receive because it’s not only our responsibility towards Mamelodi Sundowns but it’s also our responsibility to make sure that the best players in our country are playing professional football so that they can help the national team,” he concluded.
