Former Orlando Pirates winger Dikgang Mabalane says Sipho Mbule has past the stage where he needs to be looked after, as he asked how much the former Mamelodi Sundowns player wants to succeed.
Mbule was announced as a Pirates player earlier this week, not long after his agent Mike Makaab had publicly come out to reveal that the talented midfielder was offered to rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
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His career, though, has not come without any drama, with reports previously revealing alleged misconduct, more recently at Sekhukhune United, where he spent the past season on loan.
Mabalane, who was part of Pirates' treble winning team, says no one needs to be assigned to look after Mbule.
"At 26 or 27, we shouldn't be assigning anyone to look after you. You are an established player, you're an adult. He's not a youngster that just came onto the scene. How much does he want it? He must look after himself. He is past the stage in life where he should be looked after. He should look after himself," Mabalane said to Soccer Laduma.
"It's all up to him and no one else. We can't ask how do we look after him. Does he want it and how much does he want it? He's got another chance now. Not a lot of players get an opportunity to move from a big club to another big club. So, he's still got a bit of luck on his side and it's up to him. There is no question that he is talented and has a football brain. Some people are just born with it."
Mabalane believes Mbule can make a mark if he can consistently.
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"He's a quality player and needs to play consistently. He needs to find a home where he can settle and stamp his authority. That's what's missing in his game. We've seen his potential and we know he's a good player, but now we need to see that on a more consistent basis. Maybe Pirates will give him that platform.
"There are footballers who work hard. They are good footballers because they work hard. And then you have gifted footballers. He is a gifted footballer. He does not really work hard to prove himself, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't work hard. He's got a football brain because things come easy to him. Now he must bring in a work ethic to compliment his gift."
Mbule will be in the Pirates team travelling to Spain for pre-season.
