Orlando Pirates legend warns star Mbekezeli Mbokazi of what’s coming next.
Because Mbokazi is quickly becoming a name to remember in South African football. The young Bucs defender has been stealing the spotlight with standout performances since breaking into the senior squad, and now, club icon Dikgang Mabalane has offered a powerful dose of reality, and motivation.
From DDC captain to first-team breakout
Mbokazi didn’t arrive in the spotlight by chance. After captaining the Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) side, he earned his senior debut on March 5th against Chippa United in a league clash. Since then, he has made eight appearances across all competitions, even finding the back of the net once.
His defensive prowess and precision have turned him into a key figure in the Buccaneers’ backline. Mbokazi has not only cemented his place in the squad but also racked up multiple Man-of-the-Match accolades, signaling his arrival as a top talent in the local game.
National team on the horizon
Even Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has taken notice. The seasoned tactician recently identified Mbokazi, a former SA Under-20 international, as a potential call-up for the national squad in the near future—a clear testament to his rapid rise.
Mabalane: ‘Pirates is not a once-off thing’
But as the hype builds, so does the pressure. Former Pirates winger Dikgang Mabalane, who knows the weight of wearing the black and white jersey, issued some honest advice during the launch of the SuperSportBet campaign at FNB Stadium.
“Mbokazi has been a player that is talked about a lot, and I think he’s been outstanding. He’s a soldier, and I think if you play against him, physically, he’s imposing, and I think that’s one of his strengths,” said Mabalane as quoted by FARPost.
The former treble-winning star warned that consistent excellence will define Mbokazi’s success, not just early flashes of brilliance.
“I’ve seen him play in the DDC as well, and it’s good to see him in the first team, finally making it, but I think he has to understand that Pirates is not a once-off thing. I know he has had a lot of Man-of-the-Match performances, but he needs to understand that this is a big club.”
“The more recognition you get, the more pressure will be on you. So he needs to find ways of understanding that the spectacle is on him now because it’s difficult when you play for Pirates and you have that kind of pressure.”
Pirates road ahead: Aim higher, stand strong
Mabalane wrapped up his message with a clear challenge to the rising star.
“And one of the things for him would just be to aim higher; he must set standards high for himself because more pressure is coming on him.”
Mbokazi has the talent and temperament to go far. But if he wants to reach legendary status, he’ll need more than ability, he’ll need resilience, focus, and the hunger to chase greatness at every turn.
Stay tuned with The South African as Orlando Pirates legend warns star of the pressure.
Will Mbokazi fulfil his full potential at Orlando Stadium?
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