Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, expressed his delight with Sipho Mbule’s performance in the World Cup qualifier encounter with Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening in Durban.

During his squad announcement, Broos spoke about giving Mbule a second chance to make his mark in the side.

The Orlando Pirates attacker was used in the number 10 role that is occupied by Themba Zwane, but the Sundowns skipper was not missed as Mbule ran the show, especially in tight spaces or when being tracked, though Bafana failed to get the three points. 

He lined up a few shots from range, but lacked the accuracy in what was a dominant display by Bafana Bafana that crushed their chances of booking their place in the FIFA World Cup finals next year.

“I think Sipho played a very good game, and I said at half-time that he has to be more involved in our game, and you see the second half, when he’s on the ball, many times on the ball, there is something good that happens,” said Broos.

Mbule earned a recall into the national set-up during the September international break, as a replacement for the injured Patrick Maswanganyi.

The 27-year-old featured in both games against Lesotho and Nigeria.

“After the last games against Lesotho and Nigeria, and now the game today [Friday], I think that we can be very happy with Sipho,” added the Belgian.

Coach Broos will rely on Mbule’s creativity once again to unlock Rwanda in the last FIFA World Cup qualifying match at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.