Mbule's downward spiral raises concerns over his future

From prodigy to pariah, Sipho Mbule’s story reads like a cautionary tale, South African football has seen too many times.

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Touted as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, the former SuperSport United star was once a beacon of hope for club and country. But as the years ticked by, his name became less associated with brilliance and more with controversy. Now, with his loan spell at Sekhukhune United embroiled in disciplinary disgrace and parent club Mamelodi Sundowns seemingly ready to cut him loose, the 27-year-old midfielder stands on the precipice of wasting a career that many dreamed of but few are granted.

What the Siya crew has been told...

The Siya crew has been reliably informed that Sipho Mbule is set to be axed by Sekhukhune United following a series of disciplinary breaches, culminating in a recent incident that has forced the club's hand. While internal disciplinary proceedings are still being concluded, sources close to the situation have confirmed that Mbule has not returned to training since being confronted by coach Eric Tinkler after allegedly arriving under the influence of alcohol before a team camp.

Mbule, alongside teammate Katlego Mohamme, was allegedly involved in behaviour deemed unacceptable by the technical team. It is understood that Tinkler, who is known for his strict adherence to professionalism and discipline, personally confronted both players and made it clear that such conduct would not be tolerated — a stance that ultimately led to the duo being frozen out of the team.

What makes this even more damning for Mbule is that, despite this being far from his first offense, his previous behaviour had seemingly been tolerated due to the quality he consistently displayed in training sessions. A source close to the team reveals that while his off-field decisions were problematic, his on-field commitment — particularly in training — often masked deeper issues.