Can Sipho Mbule still secure an overseas deal? Orlando Pirates midfielder told what to do to fulfill his potential - 'This is not his last chance'

Former Orlando Pirates captain Benedict Vilakazi has tipped Bucs' new signing Sipho Mbule to flourish at his new Premier Soccer League home.

Apart from tipping Mbule to impress, Tso, as the Pirates' legend is famously known, said the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder can still attract interest from clubs outside the country.

“Look, Pirates need a player like Sipho who can create something out of nothing,” Tso told iDiski Times.

“Sipho reminds me of Teboho Moloi, who was not fast but was a quick thinker on the ball. I grew up watching Tebza, and he was also my coach, and every time I’ve watched Sipho, I’ve seen those similarities. And we all know what Tebza did for Pirates as a player," he added.

“As long as Sipho heeds the chairman’s advice, he’s going to sizzle at Pirates. We are going to see the fulfillment of that potential some of us spotted when he was still in the SuperSport development. And I don’t agree that this is his last chance saloon.

"I think if he can just focus on the field, he can even still go overseas – that’s just how high a quality player he is. I have no doubt about that."

Vilakazi also believes that by signing Mbule, Pirates have landed the exact player that they need in their midfield.

“Of course, he will make a huge impact,” he added.

“That’s the one element Pirates were lacking: someone in the midfield who can think for the entire team. I felt that we relied too much on the attackers, but we had no one in midfield who could be the link, a ball fetcher and carrier, and Sipho is going to be this.”

Mbule is the highest-profile player so far unveiled by the Soweto giants, who have been busy restructuring their playing unit.

Although they only released Innocent Maela, Miguel Timm, Paseka Mako, and Thabiso Monyane, the Sea Robbers have so far signed 10 players.

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, himself a new figure at the club, will be closely watched to see how he will integrate the new recruits with the other players and come up with a competitive outfit.

After his career at Sekhukhune United was overshadowed by reported off-pitch issues, this is something that the midfielder would like to avoid and focus on delivering on the pitch.

His arrival at Pirates has been termed as a career lifeline for the talented midfielder, and now it is upon him to make full use of the opportunity or squander it.