World Cup chance gone for Sipho Mbule? Agent responds

Sipho Mbule’s agent Mike Makaab has commented on reports that the Orlando Pirates midfielder is likely to miss out on the Bafana Bafana squad to the 2026 World Cup.

Mbule has been out of the team at Pirates for most of this year until last week when he was included in the squad and came on as a second half substitute against Siwelele FC on Saturday.

However, there have been unconfirmed reports that the player is back to his not so good behaviour with claims of indiscipline made. According to Sportswire, Broos is unhappy with Mbule’s conduct and has reservations about the player’s long-term future in the national team.

Sipho Mbule’s agent on Bafana chances

Asked about this claim, Makaab opted against answering the question, further raising speculation that there could be something cooking around ‘MasterChef.’

“I don’t want to comment on that,” Makaab said as quoted by Soccer Laduma. “There is nothing to comment, the guy played in the last game for Pirates. I don’t have to comment.”

Mbule has already missed out on the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming friendly against Panama this month although he has recently been hampered by an injury.

MasterChef with big battle on his hands

It remains to be seen if Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will continue using him sparingly as that could also limit his chances for a national team call-up but things could become clearer on Thursday when Broos unveils his final squad for the game against Panama.

Mbule had worked his way back into the Bafana Bafana setup after a bright first half of the season at Pirates with Broos recalling him last September and he impressed in the World Cup qualifiers before he earned a spot in the team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, since AFCON, his stock has fallen with Ouaddou rarely using him, even before his injury, and he now faces a big battle to impress his coaches both at club and national team level.