‘Mbule is not Zwane’ – Ex-Chiefs coach on why Bafana Bafana need ‘Mshishi’ back

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‘Mbule is not Zwane’ – Ex-Chiefs coach on why Bafana Bafana need ‘Mshishi’ back

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Farouk Khan has explained why Bafana Bafana fans should not be comparing Sipho Mbule to Themba Zwane.

Mbule has been the man relied on for creativity heading into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as well as during the tournament and while he did well pre-AFCON, he did not shine in Morocco.

That has seen questions raised over whether Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos should have taken a risk on Zwane, who had been out with an injury, and returned just when the AFCON 2025 squad was about to be named.

Having worked with Mbule since September, when Zwane got injured, Broos believed the Orlando Pirates star would be enough when it comes to providing creativity at AFCON but when he did not, the tactician had no one to turn to.

Khan on difference between Zwane and Mbule

Khan feels it was wrong in the first place to claim Mbule was a replacement for Zwane given the two players bring different qualities and believes it might have given Broos a false sense of security.

“Sipho is not Zwane, everyone is saying they found Zwane’s replacement [but] I don’t think so,” Khan said on SoccerBeat. “Zwane is in a different level and has different qualities but I do not think Sipho gives us exactly what Themba Zwane gives.”

“Remember, Themba Zwane was left out of the squad [before] by Broos and when he was brought in, Broos realised how important Themba was. That was one of the factors that took us to number three in the last AFCON,” he said.

Former Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi concurs with Khan and has advised Broos against going with limited options in the No.10 to the 2026 World Cup.

Brian Baloyi wants Mshishi back for World Cup

“The players that are trying to give you that creativity and goals you are in lack so you need two of those or even three on the pitch,” said Baloyi.

“I think that is where we need to fix things if we are to not take him to the World Cup again. I think there is still an opportunity for the coach to relook at his team and possibly take Themba to the World Cup.”

Zwane has not played for Bafana Bafana since suffering a nasty injury that needed surgery during a 2025 AFCON qualifier away to Congo in October 2024 and has not been the same since.

He returned to action in April 2025, leading Mamelodi Sundowns at the FIFA Club World Cup, but niggling injuries in the early parts of this season locked him out of the AFCON squad. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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