Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule delivered a five-star performance in helping South Africa secure a 3-1 win in their friendly match against Zambia at Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday.
The 27-year-old provided an assist at either side of halftime in Gqeberha, where Bafana Bafana secured a morale-boosting victory in what could be their last fixture before jetting off to Morocco for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Penned in for his fifth consecutive start in national colours, Mbule turned in a lively performance as Bafana asserted dominance early on against Chipolopolo. He combined with Pirates teammate Oswin Appollis for the opener as he threaded in a neat pass for the winger, who slotted home past goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata for his second goal in as many international appearances near the stroke of halftime.
Bafana made it 2-0 soon after the restart when Mbule’s chip from the middle found ex-Buccaneers winger Mohau Nkota, who cut in from the right before unleashing a stunning left-footed shot which landed at the back of the net. The third and final goal from the hosts was provided by midfielder Siphephelo Sithole as he headed in from a corner kick delivered by Appollis. Zambia were able to find a consolation late on in the encounter when teenage forward Joseph Sabobo displayed a cool head amid a scramble inside the Bafana penalty area.
Mbule and Appollis made up two fifths of the Bucs contingent that started the game, with the defensive pair of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mbekezeli Mbokazi also featuring alongside forward Tshepang Moremi who earned his third cap in the match. Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was brought on on the halfway mark – replacing Ronwen Williams while Sibisi took over the captain’s armband when he was introduced along with Thalente Mbatha who came on in place of Thapelo Mokoena.
Striker Evidence Makgopa was the last Pirates player to make an appearance, as he was introduced in place of another Buccaneers Academy product in Lyle Foster whose afternoon concluded in the 64th minute. Midfielder Masindi Nemtajela meanwhile remained an unused sub following his maiden national team call-up.
With no further internationals scheduled for the current FIFA break, the nine players that were part of the squad will now swap their national colours for the black and white of Orlando Pirates ahead of their home league fixture against Chippa United in 10 days time.