Hugo Broos identifies ideal Themba Zwane replacement | OneFootball

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Broos finds Zwane replacement

Photo: Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says they have found the ideal Themba Zwane replacement in midfield maestro Sipho Mbule.

The 27-year-old versatile midfielder was recently reinstated back to the national team fold during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September 2025, which was his first call-up since 2021.

Broos had been impressed with Mbule's display from the onset and is pleased with his resurgence in the national team, explaining that he initially dropped him due to his off-field behavior.

“Four years ago when I made my first call-up Mbule was there and immediately I saw what a good player he was. The only problem with Mbule was that after that there were some other things that were more important than football,” said the Belgian mentor.

"I think he understands now that football is not only playing the game, no. The game is finished but you still need to live like a football player and I think he understands it now, so he becomes very important for us.

"I told him, ‘it’s up to you now, you got a second chance. There is World Cup, there is AFCON - it's up to you if you would like to go with us. I would like to see performances.' Every time he is on the ball he can be dangerous, we didn't use him enough in the first half [vs Zambia], so he becomes important.

The 73-year-old tactician went on to state that he views the Orlando Pirates star as someone who can fill the void left by Zwane but expressed desire to have the Mamelodi Sundowns captain on board alongside Mbule.

“The other side is that if tomorrow something happens to him, we have again a problem like we had a problem with Themba one year ago. So, we found now someone who can replace Themba but I still hope that Themba will play games with Sundowns and then he will on his level like we always know him,” Broos added.

"And I think then we can become more stronger with two guys like Sipho and Themba and again I really hope in the next weeks - and if it's not for the World Cup next year that we can go with Themba and Sipho - it will make us much stronger.