Following Patrick Maswanganyi’s withdrawal from the Bafana Bafana squad, head coach Hugo Broos has explained why Sipho Mbule is the ideal replacement.
Mbule has been called up to the Bafana Bafana squad to replace his injured Orlando Pirates teammate, Patrick Maswanganyi. Maswanganyi was sent home by Broos on Monday, just a few hours before the national team’s training session in Soweto was set to begin.
‘Tito’ sustained an injury during Pirates’ emphatic 3-0 win over Chippa United in the Betway Premiership this past weekend. The talented midfielder was on the scoresheet alongside Deon Hotto and Tshepang Moremi as the Buccaneers collected maximum points away from home.
After Maswanganyi failed a fitness test with the national team, Mbule, who was initially on the preliminary squad list, was called up to take his place in the midfield.
Mbule has been in excellent form since joining Pirates on a free transfer in the current transfer window, following his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns in June 2025. Known as ‘Master Chef’, he has made seven appearances across all competitions for the Buccaneers, delivering commanding performances in the midfield in the new 2025/26 season.
Speaking at Bafana’s media open day at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday, Bafana coach Broos said that Mbule has the same qualities as Maswanganyi.
WHAT BROOS SAID ABOUT MBULE REPLACING MASWANGANYI IN THE BAFANA SQUAD
“We had to tell Maswanganyi to go home. The reason we took that decision is that we are not sure if he will be ready for the game on Friday [against Lesotho],” said Broos.
“It’s very difficult when you are working in the national team, where you have only three or four days to prepare for the game. It’s easier when you are in a club because you have five weeks of pre-season.
“When you have a player who is not ready in three days, we have to make the decision, that’s why we said Tito must go home. His replacement is Sipho Mbule. Why Sipho Mbule? I think everybody agrees that he’s a player with many qualities.
“I have to agree also that in the past years, we didn’t really see what is expected from a player like that, but he’s an experienced player and one of those who can play in Tito’s position.
“You know already that for more than a year we have been looking for a replacement for Themba Zwane. We had Tito, but now he’s injured.
“So it’s very difficult to find someone with those qualities, and I think with Mbule, we have the right player in the right position. I will have a little chat with him at training and tell him what we expect from him.”
Broos’ troops will face Lesotho on Friday, September 5, followed by a match against Nigeria on Tuesday, September 9, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Both games of Group C will be held at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
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