Rulani Offers Honest Assessment On Mbule

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has given his honest assessment on midfielder Sipho Mbule after his stellar performance against CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Mbule, who joined the club form SuperSport United ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, was in and out of the team for large parts of his debut season at Chloorkop.

In February, there were some reports in local media that Mbule, along with Andile Jali, had allegedly arrived under the influence of alcohol to training and the 25-year-old wasn’t in the squad for a few games.

At the time, Mokwena didn’t give much away but insisted that imperfections are part of any human beings, including football players, and Mbule – unlike Jali – returned to the squad and the pitch.

Over the last few weeks he’s gradually improved and was one of the standout players on the pitch in the rousing 4-1 quarter-final first leg win over Belouizdad.

Ahead of the return fixture, Mokwena admitted that Mbule has reached a good level, equal to many other players in the squad, but he – just like others – can still achieve more and it is his role as coach to push them.

“Sipho Mbule is where the rest of the players are,” he told journalists, when asked about his current level.

“At a good level, a lot of investment, a lot of work, but at a level where they can only improve. They can all get better, they can all invest a little bit more, they can all do a little bit more.

“And that’s where, I think, Sipho is. Of course, he reflects part of the team. And where Sipho is is where, not all, but majority of the players are. In a space where they are at a very good level but in a space where there is still a little room for better, and better, and better.

“And I’m the guy that is here every single day to push them for more. It’s not always loved appreciated but it is necessary and I’m here to push, to push and for them to do more.”