Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed that a frank “second chance”
conversation was the catalyst for Sipho Mbule’s remarkable return to the
national team, culminating in their successful World Cup qualification.
Mbule, whose career was once hampered by reported off-field issues, ended a
four-year international exile in September and has since become a key figure
in Broos’s midfield. His resurgence was sealed as he played a part in South
Africa’s 3-0 victory over Rwanda that confirmed their place at the 2026 FIFA
World Cup.
Broos recalled initially being impressed by Mbule’s talent but ultimately
dropping him due to a lack of focus. “Sipho had other interests than
football. After a few times, I didn’t call him anymore,” the coach stated.
The turning point came when Broos and his staff, seeking a long-term
replacement for Themba Zwane, decided to give the Orlando Pirates midfielder
a final opportunity. Broos disclosed the direct ultimatum he gave the
27-year-old.
“I called him and I said to him, ‘Listen man, this is your second chance.
After this, it’s finished,'” Broos recounted. “‘I’m giving you a chance. If
you don’t grab it with both hands, you will never be with Bafana Bafana
again as long as I’m coach.'”
The Belgian coach explicitly linked the opportunity to the upcoming AFCON
and a potential World Cup, challenging Mbule to prove his commitment. The
midfielder’s response has been emphatic, transforming him from a peripheral
figure into a vital component of the squad.
“I never doubted his football qualities,” Broos admitted, praising Mbule’s
newfound work rate and fighting spirit. After the Rwanda match, Broos
personally congratulated him, saying, “You grabbed your chance –
congratulations for that.”
Mbule’s redemption story is now one of the defining narratives of Bafana’s
World Cup journey, ensuring the team’s creative future looks secure.
