Agent Mike Makaab believes the door is still open for Sipho Mbule to make a return to Mamelodi Sundowns and fight for his place in the team, especially after the promising start he has made at Sekhukhune United.
Sundowns loaned Mbule out to Sekhukhune for a season and head coach Manqoba Mngqithi explained that they are hoping the former SuperSport United will get an opportunity to play because he still capable of claiming a spot in the team at Chloorkop.
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Mbule's good start at Sekhukhune United, which includes a call-up to the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad recently, has given hope that he can bounce back and claim his place at Sundowns next season.
"Absolutely (he can go back). I have never doubted Sipho for one moment in terms of his ability. Again, it depends on how the coach wants to play the game. I just think he is wonderfully talented and as long as he remains focused and keeps on understanding the importance of working hard, I don't think we've seen the best of Sipho," Makaab said to the Siya crew.
Mbule has always been rated highly, but Makaab says the player is the type who thrives on game time. To get the best out of him, regularly game time is the trick and it's working out well for Sekhukhune coach Lehlohonolo Seema thus far.
"I think we all know that Sipho is an enormously talented football player. (He) Just needs to keep his head down, work hard and focus his energies on improving certain aspects of his game. Mostly importantly, a player like Sipho thrives on game time. You get certain players who are able to keep themselves fit without playing too much competitive football, and I mean this without being derogative. There are others, irrespective of what one says, who need the competitive match time to remain sharp. We've seen that with so many different players."
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"Some need a couple of games to get to their level of sharpness, others need a few hard training sessions and they are back to their level of sharpness. I think it varies from person to person, I am very pleased with what Sipho has done at Sekhukhune United and he just has to work extremely hard to continue on that road."
By Tshepang Mailwane
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