Sipho Mbule’s agent, Mike Makaab has responded to Stan Matthews claims about the midfielder’s conduct since he’s been linked to Kaizer Chiefs.
Matthews insisted the player will not be allowed to leave this window because he has not shown the right attitude at the club in recent weeks and also confirmed that only Mamelodi Sundowns have submitted an official bid for the player so far.
Makaab indicated that he spoke to Matthews about his remarks and the SuperSport CEO explained his stance, but also apologised if they came across a bit harsh.
“When I listened to it, my first impression was that he threw Sipho under the bus and I approached him about it and we had a meeting and subsequently we had a meeting an hour before I came on air here,” he said on GagasiFM.
“After listening to what Stan has had to say… He said to me that Sipho Mbule is one of those special players that come around once in a lifetime. He’s been at SuperSport since he was a young man, he’s seen him grow. At the age of 19 he though that Sipho would be the next big name on the African continent.
“And quite frankly, he should be. He has the x-factor, and I’m saying this now – he has the x-factor, he has incredible skills and ability.
“And Stan said to me ‘Mike, I don’t believe that we’re seeing the full potential of Sipho Mbule. I don’t think that he works hard enough in training, I don’t think that he’s consistent enough in match situations, I don’t think that he takes care of himself in terms of his physical condition, and if I weren’t concerned about that then I wouldn’t be doing the job that I should be doing for SuperSport United’.
“Stan has said to me over and over again that he would like to see Sipho Mbule playing his football at the highest stage and he believes that he has that ability.”
Makaab also explained that Matthews indicated the comments came a bit in the heat of the moment after the Mokoena deal and apologised if they came across harsh.
“Again I said to him ‘I thought that you were harsh, you could’ve said things a little differently, you could’ve been a little more selective with the way you approached the subject’,” he added.
“He said he was emotional. They had just done the deal for Teboho Mokoena and obviously there has been a lot of pressure on him with that and with Sipho Mbule as well and he spoke his heart.
“He is apologetic if there is anything that has upset anybody but he said it as he sees it – that Sipho Mbule is a great talent, nowhere near where he should be.”
