Sipho Mbule: Rulani Mokwena told me Orlando Pirates are the best club

The midfielder departed Sundowns at the end of the 2024/25 season after spending the campaign on loan at Sekhukhune United. He subsequently became a free agent and had several options to consider, with Kaizer Chiefs among the clubs interested in securing his services.

However, Pirates offered Mbule what he believed was the right platform to rebuild his career, leading him to choose the Soweto giants over his other suitors.

His time with the Buccaneers lasted only one season, during which he made 21 appearances. Most of those outings came in the early stages of the campaign, before his spell with the club came to an end.

"Firstly, my contract with Sundowns ended," he said during SuperSport TV's series GIANTS.

"There's other teams also that wanted to sign me. Even Chiefs approached me, you see.

"The people and coaches, and coach Rulani I spoke to told me the best team is Pirates. Because I think there was an opportunity for him to make a comeback.

"When they signed me, they showed me 'we believe in this boy'. So, the least that you gotta do is work as hard as you can and show them why they signed you."

Mbule has since continued his career abroad, joining Iraq Stars League outfit Zakho SC after leaving Pirates.