Junior Khanye has described Patrick Maswanganyi's injury as a "blessing in disguise" that finally gave Sipho Mbule the opportunity to return to the Bafana Bafana squad for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.
The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder delivered a passionate defense of Mbule's talent, arguing that the Orlando Pirates star should not only be in the national team but should be starting regularly for both club and country.
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Speaking to Soccer Laduma in an exclusive interview, Khanye expressed his belief that no coach who truly understands football can ignore Mbule's exceptional abilities.
"There is no coach in the entire world who can deny Sipho Mbule what God gave him. There is no coach who can deny the talent Sipho Mbule has. I am talking about a normal coach who understands the game. Obviously, coaches understand the game but I am talking about the coach who understands that such players have not been given a platform, especially in the so-called modern football. That boy, there is no coach in the entire world who cannot play him. Coaches like Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelloti, (Luis) Enrique the PSG Coach, Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, the late Ted Dumitru, Rulani Mokwena, Pitso Mosimane... I am talking about top-class coaches, there is no coach who cannot play him," Khanye told the Siya crew.
The former midfielder expressed frustration with Mbule's limited playing time at Pirates, while acknowledging the player needs to improve certain aspects of his game.
"I don't understand why he is not playing at Pirates. I hear triple-talking about how Sipho has to work harder. It's true, I also agree he has to work a bit harder. Sipho needs to do extra, you know. But as a person, as a player if people don't trust you, you become demoralised. So people should have faith and trust in Sipho Mbule because they have signed him at Orlando Pirates as a playmaker," Khanye added.
Khanye made bold claims about Mbule's standing in South African football, comparing him to legendary midfielders.
"There is no player in South Africa currently that I can compare to Sipho Mbule in central midfield. There is no player like Sipho Mbule in central midfield in South Africa at the moment. Tito Maswangwani plays at number 10. Yes, Tito has dropped now but has talent as well. I also count him but Sipho is on another level, you see. He is one of the best talents I have seen in central midfield. He reminds me of Thabo Lawrence Mooki. He reminds me of Jabulani Mendu. That guy is on another level," Khanye praised Mbule.
The former Chiefs star also hailed coach Hugo Broos for recognising Mbule's talent and calling him up to the national team.
"So credit to Hugo Broos to select him just to prove to Orlando Pirates and the coach and the technical team that he is one of the best, even if they don't play him or play him as an impact player. Sometimes they may choose not to play him. But I will call him to the national team. They can't call him to the national team, and he is not in the starting eleven. He deserves to start for Bafana Bafana."
Khanye also criticised Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's team selection decisions.
"So Sipho, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou must make peace, and he can't play Abdoulaye Mariko ahead of Sipho. He deserves to get a call-up. With me, I expected that. Even at the Afcon finals, you will see Sipho. If he can get the platform to the national team. I am not talking about the Friday game or against Nigeria. They must put faith. But Hugo Broos has seen what I am talking about. We give him credit and his technical team - that they saw it. The best talent in central midfielder in South Africa. I am talking about a playmaker. Very comfortable on the ball. Arrogant on the ball. He is very skilful. He can score goals. He has a great vision. Can make the team play and can be individual as well. So, such people you need to protect them."
The former midfielder emphasized the importance of supporting Mbule despite past mistakes.
"Yes, he has made mistakes in the past. But he is human. He never killed anyone. He just needs to grab his chances with both hands now. He has been given a lifeline by the whole nation. So each and every fan loves Sipho. Sundowns fans, Polokwane City fans, AmaZulu fans, Sekhukhune United fans. The whole nation. Sipho should not let them down. So, also, so far we haven't heard anything bad. He just has to improve his work rate and put faith in himself. It demoralises one that you work hard and they put you on the bench and use players who are not even ahead of you. You can't play Mariko ahead of Mbule.
"Once you show faith in him then he will show you miracles because he can win you matches. I am happy for the boy. This grows his confidence. You can put him on the bench, but you can't put a good man down. But we thank Dr Irvin Khoza by giving him the chance. We never saw that. Also Mpumi Khoza, Nkosana Khoza. They did a great job to bring him to Pirates. Well done for believing in him. He is playing in the biggest team in the African continent. So I am very excited. Tito was not injured by mistake it's a blessing in disguise," Khanye told Soccer Laduma.
When asked to compare Mbule with Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane, Khanye declined direct comparison while acknowledging both players' qualities.
"I don't want to compare them. Take nothing away from Themba Zwane, Mshishi. He has a brilliant career. He is clean. Disciplined, dedicated. I am not close to him, but as far as I heard, he is a very quiet person who talks on the pitch. The career talks loudly. But Sipho is on a different level. You know it's a game of opinions. Sipho is a person like me. The career is not clean. There have been stops and starts. He falls under those talented players who didn't last long. He is lucky he is still in the game. Some of us our careers didn't last long. But he is special. Zwane is good, but Sipho graduated at SuperSport United academy, and he didn't take long. He was not loaned out. He was a star player at SuperSport. Sundowns bought a gem there," Khanye told Soccer Laduma.
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Khanye concluded by emphasizing Mbule's unique qualities and potential impact.
"Mshishi has enjoyed a brilliant career, but I can't compare him to Sipho. To answer your question, it's just match fitness as he is not playing regularly at Pirates, but with time, there is something he can do there. I am not comparing him with Zwane, but if given a free role and say, 'look here, you play'. He doesn't lose the ball," Khanye concluded.
Khanye's passionate advocacy for Mbule reflects the broader debate around talent versus consistency in South African football. His call for patience and faith in the midfielder comes at a crucial time as Bafana Bafana prepare for vital World Cup qualifiers, with Mbule potentially holding the key to unlocking the team's creative potential. The challenge now lies in whether Mbule can seize this opportunity to prove his critics wrong and establish himself as a regular for both club and country.
