Sipho Mbule 'who has aura' was going to be bigger at Kaizer Chiefs than at Orlando Pirates as Buccaneers 'can still win without' ex-Mamelodi Sundowns star

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Thuso Phala has explained why Amakhosi needed Sipho Mbule more than Orlando Pirates.

Mbule is among the new faces at Bucs, as he joined the club during the last transfer window after he was also linked with Chiefs.

Now, Phala states that his former club would have benefited more by signing the Bafana Bafana star, whom he feels would have grown into a bigger player at Naturena.   

"There are some players who are just gifted to be loved; Sipho is even loved by Sundowns and Chiefs fans. Everyone loves him, and it's not like he has scored goals at Pirates, but they love him because when he's around, you can see with the teammates the impact he has," Phala said on the Omniaudioafrica YouTube Channel.

"He has that aura around him. So I feel like that's why as Chiefs fans we wanted such a player, who when he's around, even when the team is not doing well, but when he's on the field, we know something could happen, because he's got that arrogance and confidence, and he can get the best out of you as a teammate," the former Bafana forward added.

"At Chiefs that's what we needed. He was going to be bigger at Chiefs, because Pirates can win games without him. At Chiefs he was going to start every game; we just needed him." 

Mbule's agent revealed that the former Sundowns star had been offered to Chiefs, but the Soweto giants dragged their feet in concluding the transfer.

Mbule was then signed by Bucs, and, despite the reported acts of indiscipline that overshadowed his career before, he has established himself as a first-teamer.

Mbule's impressive outings have also earned him a place in the Bafana setup, as Hugo Broos has called him up for World Cup qualifiers. 

Given the flashes of brilliance that he has shown so far, Pirates fans expect him to be even better as the season progresses. His debut season with the Soweto giants can be regarded as a success; he is an MTN8 Cup winner already, and Bucs are still in contention for several trophies.

The Sea Robbers hope to have successful races in the Premier Soccer League, the CAF Champions League, and even the Nedbank Cup, as well as the Carling Knockout Cup, and Mbule is expected to be a key figure in those missions.

Given that he is already a regular starter under Abdeslam Ouaddou, it is the perfect chance for Mbule to silence his doubters once and for all and prove that he remains a top-level star.