‘Mbule is a player we needed’ – Sundowns legend explains why Pirates star is vital for Bafana

Sipho Mbule was among the players who shone on Tuesday as South Africa and Nigeria played to a 1-1 draw in Group C's FIFA World Cup qualifier.

It was the hosts who scored first, courtesy of William Troost-Ekong, before Calvin Bassey's strike ensured spoils were shared. The result brought Bafana Bafana closer to the 2026 World Cup since they are on 17 points, three more than second-placed Benin, with two rounds to go. Nigeria and Rwanda are both on 11 points.

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Teko Modise has lauded the impact Mbule had on the national team. The Orlando Pirates midfielder got his chance owing to injuries to Themba Zwane and Patrick Maswanganyi.

Mbule is needed with his creativity

“A good performance as well. At certain stages, I thought he came into the game, and he disappeared as well. But he hasn’t been in the team for long, and he hasn’t really started at Orlando Pirates as well. But this is the type of game where I actually wouldn’t mind him, seeing how good he is,” Modise said on SuperSport TV.

“Cause he is a player that we needed, especially in that number 10 position with his creativity. And what a fight all the boys had. He was also defending as well. So that’s the type of game where I actually don’t mind. 

“We’ve always said that if only he can understand how talented he is. We just want him to live up to this potential that’s always been bubbling under for so many years.

“These are the right opportunities for him, because if Bafana Bafana qualifies, he’ll work to get to the national team to actually go to the World Cup and that’s important for any footballer to go to one of the biggest stages in the world,” he concluded.