Following Sipho Mbule’s recent controversial headlines during his loan at Sekhukhune United from Mamelodi Sundowns, award-winning journalist and author Hosea Ramphekwa has written a heartfelt letter to the troubled star.
I hope you are doing well under the circumstances. I’m writing this letter with mixed feelings in the wake of your situation. Sipho, I am saddened about your misfortunes and reported misdemeanours at Sekhukhune United. Concomitantly, I am delighted to pen this and express my admiration for you as a footballer.
I remember bumping into you at an eatery in Midrand a few years ago while you were lunching with your late friend, Luke Fleurs. During our small chat, I didn’t hide my love and admiration for you as a player. The sight of you caressing the ball is a source of delight to my football-loving soul. Since I became a football journalist years ago, I stopped supporting soccer teams. I derive merriment from watching individuals like you who do amazing things with the ball. It doesn’t matter who wins, but I want to see players reach their full potential.
THE THUNDERBOLT AGAINST TP MAZEMBE
Talking about potential, I believe you are by far the most talented and technically gifted player of your generation. They might have more caps than you, but they are not better than you. That’s my opinion. However, as the saying goes, talent is never enough.
Since you belted that thunderbolt against TP Mazembe while playing for SuperSport United, I have always been in awe of your talent. Your reading of the game, skills, physique, decision-making, confidence, technical superiority, and tactical awareness are just amazing.
It worries me to see you making headlines for all the wrong reasons. It bothers me to see players who are not even worthy of carrying your soccer boots being praised week in and week out. I’ve never played football at the highest level, but I know how it feels to sit on the bench and watch players less talented than you get a run. I’m aware of how it feels to score a goal and release that pass. I know how it feels to wish the ground could open and swallow you because your back pass got intercepted and the opponents went on to score.
And oh, I also know a lot that goes on behind the scenes in South African football. Whenever there’s injustice, the response is to be rebellious. Most talented footballers rebel against the wrong done to them by not giving their best in training and matches. If that is the case with you, I suggest you change your posture and attitude. The issue with people in football is that they can do all sorts of things for you and get away with it.
COME ON, SIPHO MBULE
People with power in football will do anything and everything for their own benefit, and sometimes to the detriment of players. Those in power – club bosses, management, coaches, agents, and fellow players – can devise diabolical moves to destroy a player. The problem is that you are rebelling and fighting against a system you cannot destroy. The best thing you can do is to open up about qualms during a podcast after you hang up your boots.
Players in South Africa are often treated like chewing gum. Once the sweetness dissipates, they spit you out. When you are on top of the game, making money for people, they will blow your nose, change your diapers, and massage you. Once you advance in age or injuries mess you up, the treatment you get will not be the same. Just know that you are in a system that cares more about institutions than individuals. The clubs you play for will still be there after your era.
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE SIPHO MBULE
Sipho, I suggest you wake up and smell the coffee. While you still have a chance to redeem yourself, discard whatever is messing with you. If you want to fight a system, you must have a better system. Right now, your best bet is to perform and become the best you are destined to be. Players come and go, but in most cases, those in power remain. They have the power to destroy. They will kill you and tell the world that you took your own life. It is tough in this world.
As things stand, the perception is that you are digging your own grave with your behaviour. I suggest you look for help – counselling, therapy, or whatever. Forgive those who wronged you. Forgive yourself. Drop distractions. Work hard. Shine on the pitch. God gave you a talent to display His brilliance to the world. Yours is to play. Grow thick skin fast. Absorb all the hurt and harm. You do not have to rebel by taking solace in the bottle, rocking up to training under the influence, being late, talking others down, disrespecting teammates and coaches, indulging and engaging in decadent delicacies that come with booze, hubbly, and beautiful young women. Just get on the pitch and cook. Come on, Master Chef.
Regards,
Hosea P. Ramphekwa
Ramphekwa is a sports journalist, an award-winning and bestselling author of four books.
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