{"id":11346,"date":"2025-06-24T18:15:55","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=11346"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:26:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:26:45","slug":"sipho-mbule-joins-pirates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/sipho-mbule-joins-pirates\/","title":{"rendered":"Sipho Mbule Joins Orlando Pirates \u2013 Here\u2019s Why Ouaddou Wanted Him"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Orlando Pirates have kicked off their 2025\/26 recruitment drive with the official signing of Sipho Mbule. The Soweto outfit confirmed on Tuesday that the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has joined the club. He becomes the first arrival since the appointment of new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Mbule had been a free agent after his contract with Sundowns was not extended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 27-year-old, who spent the previous season on loan at Sekhukhune United, has long been regarded as one of the most technically gifted midfielders in the country. However, his career has been marred by controversy and off-field distractions. Despite this, Pirates have opted to take a chance on the man affectionately known as \u201cMaster Chef.\u201d It is a move said to be personally requested by the newly-appointed Ouaddou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Orlando Pirates is pleased to welcome Sipho Mbule to the Club.<br><br>\u26ab\u26aa\ud83d\udd34\u2b50<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OrlandoPirates?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#OrlandoPirates<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OnceAlways?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#OnceAlways<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LrxkVh1kw4\">pic.twitter.com\/LrxkVh1kw4<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/orlandopirates\/status\/1937471155675242637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 24, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-coach-s-personal-wish-granted\"><strong>A Coach\u2019s Personal Wish Granted<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ouaddou, who only assumed his role at Pirates a day before Mbule&#8217;s unveiling, has not hidden his admiration for the midfielder. During a candid interview with Robert Marawa on 947, the Moroccan tactician praised Mbule\u2019s talent. He also acknowledged the baggage that comes with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m aware that his conduct off the field hasn\u2019t always been the best, but I believe he just needs the right kind of guidance,\u201d said Ouaddou. \u201cMbule is exactly the type of creative player I want in my midfield.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sources close to the club suggest that Ouaddou personally lobbied for Mbule\u2019s signing. He convinced chairman Irvin Khoza to take the risk. It seems that trust has already paid dividends. Supporters are excited by the midfielder\u2019s potential to add flair and spark to the Bucs&#8217; midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4043974805\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sipho-mbule-career-in-need-of-revival\"><strong>Sipho Mbule<\/strong> <strong>Career in Need of Revival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mbule joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022 after an impressive stint with SuperSport United. However, he failed to establish himself at Chloorkop. Limited game time and persistent behavioural concerns ultimately led to his loan move to Sekhukhune United. While he initially impressed at Babina Noko, questions surrounding his professionalism resurfaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s understood that Sundowns chose not to activate a two-year extension clause due to ongoing concerns about his discipline. With no permanent offer from Sekhukhune and interest from Kaizer Chiefs reportedly cooling, Mbule\u2019s career appeared to be at a crossroads. That was until Pirates swooped in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-surprising-chiefs-fans-and-social-media-buzz\"><strong>Surprising Chiefs Fans and Social Media Buzz<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sipho Mbule\u2019s switch to Pirates has raised eyebrows, especially among Kaizer Chiefs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickoff.com\/sa-news\/lifestyle\/the-master-chef-sipho-mbule-cooked-in-silence?gallery=503749&amp;gallery-page=1#ig-503749\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporters <\/a>who had been vocal in calling for his signing. His agent Mike Makaab had even revealed that the midfielder had been offered to Naturena, fuelling speculation that a deal was close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, Pirates pulled off the move under the radar, triggering a wave of reaction on social media. Many fans have labelled it a bold and strategic decision by the Buccaneers. This is especially true as the club builds towards their pre-season campaign in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Kaizer Chiefs may have lost the race for Sipho Mbule but they\u2019ve won our hearts for being ambitious. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/p62G8csOzz\">pic.twitter.com\/p62G8csOzz<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Mbuks (@MT_Ntsonda) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MT_Ntsonda\/status\/1937507664008782251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 24, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;If supporters want Sipho Mbule then I want Sipho Mbule&quot;- Kaizer Motaung Junior <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/W8nll4ULBI\">pic.twitter.com\/W8nll4ULBI<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Lorch\u2019s wife\ud83d\udc8d\u2764\ufe0f. (@DineoManamela1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DineoManamela1\/status\/1937475819108270518?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 24, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I stand with my team Kaizer Chiefs and am happy that they did not sign Mbule. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zIqZy8p0XP\">pic.twitter.com\/zIqZy8p0XP<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Qhawe kaNcokazi (@Qhawe5654) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Qhawe5654\/status\/1937479043516878890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 24, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2477438075\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ready-to-join-pre-season-squad-in-europe\"><strong>Ready to Join Pre-Season Squad in Europe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mbule will now prepare to link up with his new teammates as the Buccaneers embark on a European pre-season tour. Pirates are scheduled to face a series of tough fixtures between 11 and 19 July. These include matches against Bolton Wanderers, Las Palmas, Pafos FC and Granada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tour is expected to serve as a testing ground for Ouaddou\u2019s new ideas. It will likely provide Mbule with the opportunity to showcase his skillset and stake a claim for a regular starting place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-calculated-gamble-with-huge-potential\"><strong>A Calculated Gamble with Huge Potential<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By securing Mbule\u2019s signature, Pirates are making a statement. While there\u2019s no denying the risk attached to signing a player with a history of disciplinary issues, the reward could be immense. This is if Ouaddou manages to unlock Mbule&#8217;s full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Mbule, this move represents a fresh start. And for Pirates, it could prove to be a masterstroke in their quest to return to the summit of domestic football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/orlando-pirates-future-under-abdeslam-ouaddou\/\">Orlando Pirates\u2019 Future Under Abdeslam Ouaddou \u2013 What to Expect<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orlando Pirates have kicked off their 2025\/26 recruitment drive with the official signing of Sipho Mbule. The Soweto outfit confirmed on Tuesday that the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has joined the club. He becomes the first arrival since the appointment of new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Mbule had been a free agent after his contract<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":11355,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Orlando Pirates have kicked off their 2025\/26 recruitment drive with the official signing of Sipho Mbule. The Soweto outfit confirmed on Tuesday that the...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[273,285,1627,288],"class_list":{"0":"post-11346","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-orlando-pirates","10":"tag-psl-news","11":"tag-psl-transfer-news","12":"tag-soccer"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11346"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11356,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11346\/revisions\/11356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}