Does Sipho Mbule’s rise signal the end of Themba Zwane’s Bafana Bafana career?
Sipho Mbule has gabbed his Bafana Bafana opportunity with both hands since being given another chance by head coach Hugo Broos.
Image: Backpagepix
Sipho Mbule put in another impressive shift on Saturday as Bafana Bafana beat Zambia 3-1 in their final match as the team prepares for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Hugo Broos looks like he’s finally found a man to fill Themba Zwane’s massive boots at Afcon and at next year’s World Cup in North America.
Despite being on the wrong side of 36, Zwane remains one of the most creative players in the country. His game intelligence and spatial awareness are second to none. His vision and end product make him one of South Africa’s most decisive players.
With a football at his feet, Zwane is a genius, and that makes him the heartbeat of both Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana.
But, in recent years, we have been reminded time and time again of Zwane’s fragility and that he is approaching the end of his career. Since injuring his Achilles in an Afcon qualifier towards the end of 2024, he hasn’t had a consistent run of games.
After recovering from the injury, he hurt himself again in September. It’s this latest setback that threatens his participation at Afcon.
This time last year, Zwane’s absence was something that worried many South Africans. But in recent months, Mbule the Master Chef has stepped up in a big way. Publicly, Broos will say he’ll prefer to have both players at Afcon and at the World Cup. But, with Mbule in the form of his life, and his career back on track after a number of off-field issues, the 27-year-old Orlando Pirates star might just be trusted with cooking the main course for Bafana Bafana.
We’ve seen what he can do. Towards the end of Bafana’s World Cup Qualification campaign, his brilliant touches kept fans on their feet and opponents guessing. And last weekend against Zambia, he once again proved that Zwane’s absence is not the train smash it was feared it would be. He provided two assists on the day – first with a beautifully weighted through ball that sliced open Zambia’s defence for Oshwin Appollis’ opener, and later with a perfectly judged pass over the top that Mohau Nkota buried with ease
More importantly, Mbule’s rise signals a shift in Bafana’s creative engine. For years, the team’s attacking rhythm lived and died with Zwane, but Mbule brings a different kind of spark – one built on power, precision, and a fearlessness that defenders struggle to contain. His resurgence has elevated the entire midfield, giving South Africa a renewed sense of balance and unpredictability.
Now, as the continent’s biggest stage looms, Mbule has the chance to turn promise into legacy. If he maintains this trajectory, he’ll be carving out his own place in Bafana folklore. For the first time in years, South Africa can look beyond the twilight of Zwane’s career with genuine excitement, knowing the Master Chef is ready to cook.
IOL Spot
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@inl.co.za. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).