Hugo Broos Gives Verdict On Two Players Set to Boost Bafana Bafana for AFCON

Bafana's coach praises a revived midfielder's "second chance" and hopes to pair him with another star playmaker for the upcoming AFCON.

South Africa national team head coach Hugo Broos has openly declared his desire to have both Sipho Mbule and Themba Zwane in his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), believing the pair could make Bafana Bafana significantly "stronger."

Broos has been deeply impressed by the career revival of Mbule, who has rediscovered his best form since making a permanent move to Orlando Pirates. The midfielder's resurgence has not only secured him a place back in the national team but has also positioned him as a vital component of Broos’s plans.

The coach’s praise was particularly high following Mbule's stellar performance against Zambia. The player, nicknamed ‘Master Chef’, was instrumental in the match, providing two assists and earning the Man of the Match award. For Broos, this display confirmed that Mbule possesses the creative spark the team has been missing.

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However, the coach revealed this was the player he had seen years ago, before off-field issues derailed his progress.

“Four years ago when I made first call-up, Mbule was there and immediately I saw the good player he was,” Broos told the media as per iDiski Times.

“The only problem with Mbule was that after that there were some other things who were more important than football and I think he understands now that football is not only playing a game, no! The game is finished and you still have to live like a player, like a football player but I think he understand now.”

A Second Chance and a Stern Warning

Broos confirmed he has offered the 26-year-old a "second chance" but made it clear that the onus is now on Mbule to maintain his focus and professionalism with major tournaments on the line.

“So he becomes very important for us and I told him look it’s up to you now, you get your second chance there’s AFCON and there’s World Cup it’s up to you if you want to go with us," Broos stated.

The coach elaborated on Mbule's crucial role in the team's attacking play, highlighting his ability to create opportunities. 

“I would like to see performances and you see every time he is on the ball we be dangerous, we didn’t use him enough in the first half and you see that in our game.

“So Sipho has become very important player for the national team.”

The Mshishi Conundrum

While thrilled with Mbule’s form, Broos admitted it highlights a potential problem: a dependency on one creative player. He likened the situation to the team’s previous reliance on Mamelodi Sundowns talisman, Themba Zwane.

“The other side of the matter is that if tomorrow something happens with him we have a problem like we had a problem with Themba one year ago,” the coach explained.

Ideally, Broos does not want Mbule to be viewed as a replacement for Zwane, but rather as a partner. The coach believes Mbule is "exactly what Zwane is" and hopes 'Mshishi' can regain his top form at Sundowns to join Mbule in the Bafana setup.

“So we find someone who can replace Themba but I still hope that Themba plays games at Sundowns and again he will be on his level like we know him and I think we can be more stronger with two guys like Sipho and Themba.”

Broos concluded with his ultimate wish for the upcoming qualifiers and the AFCON tournament itself.

 “Again I hope in the next three weeks and if it’s not for the World Cup next year maybe we can go do with Themba and Sipho.”