Bafana Bafana legend Teko Modise has expressed deep concern regarding the career trajectory of Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule. “The General,” as Modise is affectionately known, fears that without a significant shift in mindset, the 28-year-old maestro risks being remembered more for “unfulfilled potential” than for his actual achievements on the pitch.
Despite a brief resurgence that saw him earn a recall to the national team earlier this season, Mbule was notably absent from the Bafana Bafana squad for the recent friendlies against Panama. His struggle to secure a regular starting spot in the Buccaneers’ XI has once again put his consistency under the microscope.
The “New Teko” Comparison
Modise revealed that the comparisons between himself and Mbule started years ago, reaching as high as the boardroom.
“I remember doing a Sundowns-SuperSport game; as I left, I bumped into Stan Matthews [SuperSport United Chairman]. He took me aside and said, ‘After you at SuperSport, the very same talent you had, the very same way I felt about you, is this boy Sipho. Can you please talk to him?'”
Matthews’ plea was clear: Mbule possessed world-class talent but was seemingly “stuck in his ways.”
The Failed Mentorship
The attempts to guide Mbule continued even after his high-profile move from SuperSport to Mamelodi Sundowns (and eventually to Pirates). Modise disclosed that even Sundowns Chairman Tlhopie Motsepe requested that he take the young midfielder under his wing.
“I have been asked to talk to Sipho for such a long time,” Modise admitted. However, the legendary playmaker suggested that there might be a disconnect preventing the mentorship from taking root. “Maybe because we don’t have similar stories… or maybe there are people who told Sipho that I have an issue with him.”
A Career at the Crossroads
At 28, Mbule is entering what should be the prime years of his career. Modise’s critique isn’t born of malice, but of a desire to see a rare talent succeed.
“I know I might sound like a hater, but for me personally, it feels like he’s been ‘bubbling under’ for so long,” Modise concluded. For Mbule, the message is clear: the window to turn “potential” into a “legacy” is closing fast.
