Former Bafana Bafana captain Doctor Khumalo believes midfielder Sipho
Mbule has demonstrated he can fill the creative void left by the absence of
national team talisman Themba Zwane.
Zwane, a long-time creative force for South Africa, was left out of the
final 25-man squad despite recovering from an injury sustained at Mamelodi
Sundowns. Khumalo described the situation as unfortunate, noting the
severity of Zwane’s setback.
“It was an unfortunate situation for Zwane because he comes back from a
very, very bad injury,” Khumalo stated at Bafana’s send-off at FNB Stadium.
“He has just played a couple of games for Sundowns.”
However, Khumalo pointed to Mbule’s performance in the recent friendly
against Ghana—where the midfielder scored—as proof of his readiness for the
responsibility. He suggested that head coach Hugo Broos has identified a
player capable of delivering in crucial moments.
“But I think Hugo has found, not a replacement, but someone that can
probably live on the day in Mbule,” Khumalo said. “Sipho, I think if he can
be protected and guided, he’s the player that can provide what Themba used
to do for us.”
