Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana has identified a recurring pattern of wasted potential among a certain type of footballers.
Kekana enjoyed a successful career in the professional ranks. In fact, he ranks among some of the most successful football stars in domestic football, having lifted eight league titles throughout his career. He was also part of the Sundowns team that lifted the 2016 CAF Champions League title.
The former Bafana Bafana star expressed disappointment at the Sipho Mbule situation at Sekhukhune United.
Reports surfaced last week, revealing that Mbule was dismissed from camp after allegedly disrespecting a technical team member and violating team protocol by bringing an unauthorised female to the team hotel.
However, after engagements with the club’s management, the Bethlehem-born star was forgiven. Mbule, who is on a season-long loan from Sundowns, is in contention to feature in the Betway Premiership clash against Marumo Gallants. It will be newly appointed head coach Eric Tinkler’s first game in charge.
WHAT HLOMPHO KEKANA SAID ABOUT THE SIPHO MBULE SITUATION
“I’ll give him advice as an older brother and as somebody who was once a professional footballer,” he said on SABC’s Soccerzone. “I just wish one day he could wake up and say I wanna dedicate a few years to his career.”
He believes the 26-year-old easily wins the footballer of the season without any challenge if he sets his sights on football.
“We’re talking about somebody who can be a footballer of the year without being contested. Technically gifted, somebody you cannot teach anything on the field. And he’s aware, that’s the sad part.
“I’ve seen players like this in my career and they never made it. I’ve seen Masibusane Zongo with huge potential. Guess what, he never played to his full potential. It’ll be sad one day when I wake up and see Sipho Mbule not reaching the level that he’s supposed to.”
Mbule is out of contract in June and will have to impress in the remainder of the season to land a new contract. He also has to show new Sekhukhune coach, Tinkler, what he is capable of.
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