Gayton McKenzie Backs Sipho Mbule Following Bafana Bafana World Cup Squad Snub
South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie has offered words of encouragement to Sipho Mbule after the midfielder was left out of the latest Bafana Bafana squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Mbule was omitted from the preliminary national team squad announced by head coach Hugo Broos on Thursday, despite being one of the country’s standout performers earlier in the season.
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Mbule’s Exclusion Raises Questions
The 28-year-old midfielder had re-established himself as a key player after joining Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
Mbule arrived at Pirates as a free agent following his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns after his contract expired in June 2025.
His move to the Soweto giants attracted major attention, with the midfielder becoming a regular starter during the first half of the campaign under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Reduced Game Time Impacts National Team Chances
Mbule’s impressive performances earned him a return to the national team setup, and he featured for South Africa at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
However, his fortunes changed in the second half of the season after struggling for regular minutes as Pirates focused on their league title challenge.
The lack of consistent game time saw Mbule lose his place in the national side. He was also absent from the squad that faced Panama in international friendlies last month.
McKenzie Sends Public Message of Support
Despite the setback, McKenzie publicly backed the midfielder and urged him not to lose hope.
“A king who gave us so much, this is your moment to cook part two of your greatness. Your best years are ahead of you in football. Let the fools laugh at you, you have given us so much champ,” McKenzie wrote on his X account.
The minister’s message quickly drew attention online, with many supporters rallying behind Mbule as he looks to revive his place in the national team.
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