Hugo Broos Warns Sipho Mbule: ‘This Is a Second Chance, Don’t Spoil It’ Ahead of Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has issued a stern warning to Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule as South Africa prepares for crucial World Cup qualifying matches. The Moroccan-born coach emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity after Mbule returned to the national team following a period away from international duty.

Broos revealed what he told Mbule upon his recall, highlighting both the player’s talent and the responsibility that comes with representing South Africa. “I told him, Sipho, when he came to camp, I said, ‘Sipho, this is a second chance you get. Don’t spoil it,’” Broos said during an interview on SABC1.

The coach acknowledged that while Mbule has immense talent, his career has not always reflected his potential. “He was with us from the first day I was here. But yeah, there were some other things I think [were more] important for him than football at certain moments. He’s a guy with much talent, but when you see his career, even though he played in good teams, he didn’t have the career that was equivalent to it,” Broos added.

Broos also used the conversation to motivate Mbule ahead of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in December. “I told him also, ‘Look, if you do what you have to do, and you show me, there is AFCON in December; don’t forget it.’ He did what we asked from him, and I gave him the confidence again to be with us and to do the same thing again. It should help us. It should help the team enormously.”

Mbule has returned to the national setup with strong form at Orlando Pirates, and his performances have impressed Broos. The midfielder featured in Bafana’s World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria and has been called up again for the October fixtures against Zimbabwe on October 10 and Rwanda on October 14. These matches are must-win games for South Africa, particularly following a point deduction due to the fielding of suspended player Teboho Mokoena.

Broos is relying on Mbule to fill the gap left by injured key player Themba Zwane and to provide creativity and control in midfield. With Bafana sitting on 14 points and second in Group C, Mbule’s form could prove decisive in securing qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

The message from Broos is clear: Mbule must capitalize on this second chance, deliver consistently, and help South Africa navigate the high-pressure environment of World Cup qualification. His performance in these upcoming matches will be crucial for both his international career and the country’s ambitions on the global stage.