The curtain has officially fallen on the 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign. Clubs are already shifting their focus to the upcoming transfer window. With coaching changes, tactical overhauls, and heightened ambitions, the off-season is likely to bring a wave of exits and arrivals across the league. For some players, a change of scenery might be the key to unlocking their potential. It may also revive their careers altogether.
Here are three high-profile names who desperately need a fresh chapter when the new season kicks off in the Betway Premiership in August.
Sipho Mbule – A Talent Wasted at Sundowns?
Sipho Mbule’s career has been a classic case of “what could have been.” Once touted as one of the brightest midfield prospects in the Betway Premiership, Mbule has seen his stock plummet in recent seasons. This was largely due to disciplinary issues. However, it was not because of a lack of ability.
After struggling for game time at Mamelodi Sundowns, he was sent out on loan to Sekhukhune United. While he initially impressed, things quickly unravelled as off-field problems resurfaced. Reports of suspension soon followed, and his loan spell ended on a sour note. Now back at Chloorkop with his contract nearing expiry, a renewal seems improbable.
A new environment, one that prioritizes discipline and development, might be the only way for Mbule to recapture the promise he once showed.
Sphelele Mkhulise – Stalled Progress Demands a Move
A product of Sundowns’ youth ranks, Sphelele Mkhulise was once seen as a long-term midfield solution after breaking through under Pitso Mosimane. But since Mosimane’s exit, the diminutive playmaker has failed to cement a consistent place in the Betway Premiership team.
Under successive coaches—including the current boss Miguel Cardoso—Mkhulise has largely been used as an impact substitute. With just 23 appearances this term, mostly off the bench, his career seems to be stuck in neutral. For a player of his calibre, regular first-team football is a necessity.
A switch to a club with fewer midfield options could not only reinvigorate his game but also help him fulfil the potential he flashed early in his career.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo – Time to Break Free from the Buccaneers?
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo has the kind of technical skill that makes him a fan favourite. His vision and passing in tight spaces are top-tier. Yet, his overall influence on matches has been inconsistent in the Betway Premiership. One glaring weakness is his defensive contribution. This becomes costly in high-intensity games where every player’s work rate counts.
At Orlando Pirates, tactical discipline is non-negotiable. Under the new technical team, who are expected to build on Jose Riveiro’s foundations, there may be even less room for a player whose off-ball efforts don’t quite match his on-ball quality.
A move to a side that allows more creative freedom, possibly in a less rigid system, could be the spark Ndlondlo needs. It may help him re-establish himself as one of the league’s most effective midfielders.
A Clean Slate Could Revive Careers
The off-season often presents more than just a reshuffling of squads—it offers struggling players the chance to hit the reset button. For Mbule, Mkhulise and Ndlondlo, leaving their current clubs could be the catalyst they need to rediscover their best form in the Betway Premiership. Whether it’s a shift in surroundings, a fresh tactical fit, or simply more regular minutes, these three stars could shine again. They may just not where they are right now.
Also read: Is Monnapule Saleng Heading to Kaizer Chiefs? Contract Confusion Fuels Transfer Twist
