Cape Town - SuperSport
United development product Sipho Mbule is being backed for a successful
future in the game after shining for the senior national team.
The teenager was one of several players given their first Bafana Bafana caps by national team coach Stuart Baxter, who has been using an experimental and youthful side in the Chan qualifiers.
He took the opportunity with both hands, putting in a fine display in South Africa's 1-0 win over Botswana, also helping to set up Ryan Moon's winning goal.
Matsatsantsa CEO Stanley Matthews has now backed the young midfielder to follow in the footsteps of another SuperSport academy player, Teboho Mokoena, who made his breakthrough into the PSL last season.
"He is very mature for a 19-year-old," Matthews told the Mail and Guardian.
"He is one of many development players that we are bringing up gradually into the first team because he is ready for the responsibilities of professional football.
"Teboho Mokoena, at 20, has already become a crucial member of the first team. Now, Mbule has proven his credentials at the highest level too," he added.
Mbule says Baxter, who coached at SuperSport last season, played an important part in helping him make a smooth transition to the national side.
"The coach gave me certain responsibilities, but also emphasised that I must play to my strengths and I should not worry about making mistakes, because that is normal and part and parcel of the game," Mbule explained.
"I think that is why I performed the way I did. I am not satisfied, though. In fact, I am now hungrier for more success. The victory, which was a team effort, has inspired me to work even harder."