Former Bafana Bafana captain Doctor Khumalo believes midfielder Sipho
Mbule has demonstrated he can carry the creative responsibility in the
absence of the injured Themba Zwane for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Zwane, a long-standing talisman for the national team, was left out of the
final 25-man squad after only recently returning from what Khumalo termed a
“very, very bad injury,” managing just a handful of appearances for Mamelodi
Sundowns at the season’s end.
Speaking at the team’s send-off event, Khumalo expressed sympathy for
Zwane’s situation but indicated that head coach Hugo Broos has identified a
capable alternative.
“I think it was an unfortunate situation for Zwane because he comes back
from a very, very bad injury. He has just played a couple of games for
Sundowns,” Khumalo stated.
However, he pointed to Mbule’s goal-scoring performance in the recent
friendly victory over Ghana as a promising sign. “But I think Hugo has found
not a replacement, but someone that can probably live on the day in Mbule,”
Khumalo added.
Emphasizing Mbule’s potential, Khumalo concluded, “Sipho, I think if he can
be protected and guided, he’s the player that can provide what Themba used
to do for us.”
