Sipho Mbule has landed a major deal when many thought he was finished at the top level following his signing by Orlando Pirates.
Mbule’s signing caught nearly everyone by surprise coming just two weeks after it had emerged that his agent had offered him to Kaizer Chiefs following the end of his contract at Mamelodi Sundowns.
The midfielder fell out of favour at Sundowns two years ago and after turning into a bit-part player, he was sent out on loan to Sekhukhune United last season but old problems surfaced again.
Abdeslam Ouaddou lauded ‘amazing' Mbule
Mbule has made headlines over his off-field issues in the past, reportedly turning up for training while under the influence, and the same issues happened again at Sekhukhune, forcing Babina Noko to opt against signing him permanently.
It was therefore a major surprise that he was signed by Pirates but it has now emerged that new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou had a big hand in the decision to bring him to the Soweto giants after he spoke glowingly of the player just a month ago.
“One other player that I love and his style of play, and I know that maybe his behaviour is not so good, but I think it is a question of management,” Ouaddou said on Marawa Sports Worldwide in late May.
How will Pirates keep the midfield in check?
The tactician then went on how he would love to have Mbule in his team while explaining the best way to deal with his off-field issues.
“These players need management, somebody to be close to them. To understand that they are good players but they have to manage their lives and lifestyle,” he went on.
“Mbule is an amazing player, the kind of player I like to have in my team,” said the Moroccan coach.
It was not known that Ouaddou had been in talks with Pirates about taking over at the club at the time, but the interview has now made sense a month later, following Mbule’s signing.
