Broos explains what moving to Chiefs has done for Sibongiseni Mthethwa
Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos has explained how Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa’s decision to join Kaizer Chiefs has impacted the midfielder’s development.
According to Broos, penning a deal with the Soweto giants saw the gritty midfielder move a notch higher in most respects, looking at how he was at Stellenbosch FC.
Broos believes the move to Chiefs has helped Mthethwa further develop as a player, and that he is now better equipped to handle the demands of international football.
Mthethwa joined Chiefs from Stellenbosch FC two days before the September transfer shutdown.
And since putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with Amakhosi, the 29-year-old midfield workhorse walked straight into the team’s line-up; enjoying game time.
He has fitted in like a glove in the team, featuring in five games thus far, dictating the pace in the middle of the park.
‘Ox’, as the Bafana star is affectionately known is already a fan favourite at The Glamour Boys.
He showed nerves of steel in one of the biggest games in Africa: the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership at a packed FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
“Mthethwa was already with us [Bafana ]when he played for Stellenbosch and I think at that moment, it was a little bit too early,” said Broos.
“He [‘Ox’] was not used to playing at a higher level, now he is playing at Chiefs and everyone that plays against Chiefs wants to win.
HUGO BROOS SAYS ‘OX’ MTHETHWA HAS HAD AN INSTANT IMPACT AT KAIZER CHIEFS
“It is tough and I think with the games he has played so far at Chiefs, you can see already the change.
“So, therefore he did not do badly, the first time he was with us, so after seeing his performances took him again because also [Njabulo] Blom is not here, so I think with him, you have a good player.”
Mthethwa is part of the 23-man Bafana squad set to do battle in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
South Africa are in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers and will tackle Benin on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Three days later, Bafana will jet off to East Africa to play Rwanda.
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