Bafana Bafana midfielder Sipho Mbule produced another masterclass performance to inspire his side to a 3-1 win over Zambia at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota and Siphephelo Sithole were enough to give Hugo Broos’ men a convincing win over Chipolopolo in an international friendly match.
The match was used as a preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in December.
Speaking to SABC Sport journalist Mazole Molefe, Mbule said the team did not approach the match like any friendly match.
“Before this game, the coach told us there’s no friendly, he wanted us to prepare for AFCON,” the Orlando Pirates midfielder said after the match.
“He[Hugo Broos] said we must give it our all and I think everybody did today and I’m very happy to be back in the national team.”
Mbule gives credit to Bafana teammates
When asked if having Orlando Pirates teammates in the Bafana squad made things easier, the 28-year-old dismissed the question, stating that all players complement each other once they don the national team colours.
“I think it’s not a matter of the combinations, as you know, this is a national team. Everyone equals up and as he said before in his interviews, it’s not a gift; everybody deserves to be here. It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch, and I think we are complementing everyone on the pitch,” Mbule added after earning Man of the Match.
Sipho Mbule embracing new role
Mbule has been in good form since joining Pirates this season. After off-field issues which affected his football for two years, the masterchef has regained his form and is now one of the best players currently in the league.
With Relebohile Mofokeng and Themba Zwane not in the national team, Mbule has taken over the ‘number 10’ role at Bafana Bafana.