Sipho Mbule: Why is Orlando Pirates midfielder missing in action?

Sipho Mbule’s agent has addressed the midfielder’s recent absence from the Orlando Pirates squad, confirming that an injury was the reason he missed key matches against Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City.

Speculation grew after Mbule was not part of the team for the Soweto derby, where the Buccaneers secured a decisive 3-0 victory over their rivals at FNB Stadium. His continued omission from the squad for the subsequent match against Polokwane City only fueled further questions among supporters.

However, agent Mike Makaab of Prosport International has clarified the situation, dismissing any other concerns.

Makaab on why Mbule is missing

“Sipho is recovering from a small injury,” Makaab told Soccer Laduma. “He’s back at training, he is working with a fitness trainer and doing his rehab.”

Makaab noted that similar questions arose regarding another player, Thalente Mbatha, and emphasised that his explanations are straightforward.

“The same question was asked of me about Thalente Mbatha, and I said Thalente had picked up an injury,” the agent explained.

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“It’s strange that when I say things, sometimes people think I’m hiding something. Thalente also picked up an injury. You saw that he played against Chiefs and had to come off; his knee was strapped, but he has progressed nicely and hopefully he is over the niggle.”

Mbule, who joined Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the season, has struggled for consistent playing time since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. His early-season form had been strong enough to earn a recall to the Bafana Bafana squad under coach Hugo Broos.

With World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Mbule will be eager to regain full fitness and fight for his place back in the Pirates’ starting lineup to keep his international ambitions alive.