CAN MBULE MAKE IT IN EUROPE?
Former SuperSport United midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi believes that a lot needs to change in Sipho Mbule’s game if he wants to make it in Europe.
Nkosi also played for Kaizer Chiefs before joining German Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld.
“Football has changed a lot because players who play in defensive positions tend to do well in Europe compared to players who depend on natural ability,” Nkosi tells KICK OFF. “The primary focus is to be able to defend well and only using offensive capability when you are required.
“The primary function is to be able to defend – if that part of the game is polished, then you can make it. Sipho’s qualities are natural and if he can polish his defensive side of the game he will do well.
“Look at Bongani Zungu, he did well at Sundowns when they converted him from an offensive player to a deeper lying midfielder. They worked on his aggression. Going overseas as just an offensive player might require him spending three seasons adjusting.
“When I went to Germany, I was also expected to change certain aspects of my game. The defensive duties are equal, so this makes it easy for defensive players. When I came back to Chiefs, I was playing a different role.
“What determines how you settle is a type of a team you join. In small teams, the type of football they play is negative because they absorb the pressure and they don’t have much quality. How they play is more on the backfoot. That’s why when Chris Katongo went there, he only scored one or two goals.”
Nkosi also adds that Mbule is on right the track.
“I think based on what I’ve seen of him so far, he has improved a lot. He is a player with talent and the potential is big. He is one of those players with a close ball control, skill, acceleration with a ball at his feet.
“He goes past opponent with ease. Over the past two seasons, he was not maximizing on that in making his team win by creating and scoring. So far this season, there’s a great deal of improvement and purpose about he plays.
“He is more business-minded, so to speak. If it all goes well, we need him not just for the Olympics but also Bafana going forward, because he is a special player.”