Former Orlando Pirates star Steve Lekoelea has shared some words of advice to Bucs’ newly signed midfielder Sipho Mbule. The 27-year-old signed a one-year contract with an option to extend for another two years.
He joins players such as Yanela Mbuthuma, Oswin Appollis, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Tshepang Moremi, Tshepho Mashiloane, Masindi Nemtajela, Nkosikhona Ndaba, and Sihle Nduli, who were also unveiled by the Soweto giants.
Mbule has been part of Sundowns since joining in 2022 from SuperSport United. Of the three seasons he was at the club, one of them was spent on loan at fellow Betway Premiership side Sekhukhune United.
Despite being strongly linked with a move to Pirates rivals Kaizer Chiefs, the Buccaneers moved swiftly to sign the talented midfielder.
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Lekoelea, who spent 10 years with the Buccaneers between 1995 and 2005, believes Mbule can fit in like a glove at Pirates, only if he sorts out his off-field behaviour. Mbule’s off-field issues, as both Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United are well-documented.
“He is a good player, but he has to change [his] behaviour because Pirates is a big team,” Lekoelea told FARPost.
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“He is a big player as well. But if he can reduce what he was doing before, he will fit in well at Pirates. His style matches the culture of Orlando Pirates. I think he is a good signing,” added Lekoelea.
Lekoelea has also shared impressions with the rest of the signings made by the club ahead of next season.
“Those are good signings for Orlando Pirates. The problem is if the players are not clicking or playing together,” he said.
“The new players must also know that Orlando Pirates players are the coaches. If you don’t perform in two or three games, you are fired.”
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