Lebone Sime has quickly established himself as the future of South African football, possessing the technical foundation and mentality required for success at the highest level.
Sime, who was named the Player of the Season in the PSL Betway Premiership, had a memorable debut season in central defense for Orlando Pirates, where he successfully partnered with Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Nkosinathi Sibisi.
His contribution was not limited to individual play; his high work rate alongside his defensive partners and the entire team helped goalkeeper Sipho Chane set an unprecedented record of 21 clean sheets in the league, earning him the title of 'Clean Sheet King.'
Sime's achievements attracted attention, leading to his first call-up to the Bafana Bafana national team in a new era under coach Pitso Mosimane. The team is preparing for the AFC World Cup 2027 qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday and Al Salam Stadium on September 30, as well as a friendly match against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on October 4.
Coach Abdeslam Addou expressed satisfaction with the national recognition, predicting that Sime will become one of the best defenders both at the club and for the national team in the future. Addou congratulated him and all the national team players, thanking Pitso for the call-up, which he believes demonstrates the player's dedication to the work done last season. He stated that Sime is the future of South African football, noting the talent available in the country at this position.
Addou added that he hopes this call-up will give Sime confidence and motivation for further hard work and development. He noted that he is not surprised because Sime possesses a good mentality and professionalism, as well as a willingness to learn, which is very important to him.
Working under Addou has been one of the best moments in Sime's career at Pirates. The Moroccan is not only a perceptive tactician but also has rich experience as a central defender after playing in Ligue 1, the Greek Super League, and the English Premier League, which helped Sime hone his skills.
This thirst for knowledge impressed Addou, who pointed out how Sime found his form as the season progressed. Addou explained that improvement requires being teachable and understanding what is expected of you. He reported that Sime is starting to understand this, and that last season he paid close attention to him for his growth and performance. They talked and trained extensively about the quality of his passes, executing short and long balls, as well as tackling. The technical staff and the club are pleased with his progress and the reflection of their work.