DStv Diski Challenge coach Joseph Makhanya claims Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has promoted 19-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The Sea Robbers currently have three central defenders out injured. Namely, Olisa Ndah, Tapelo Xoki and Sandile Mthethwa. This has prompted the technical team to promote teenager Mbekezeli Mbokazi out of necessity.
“This platform – DStv Diski Challenge is created for these boys,” Makhanya told the SuperSport website, as per iDiski Times.
“If you look at where Mbekezeli Mbokazi comes from, it was his first season last season but the strides he has made have been nothing short of amazing.
“Soon there’s an announcement that would be made, where we will no longer see Mbokazi in the DDC.
“You must think back where he is coming from, all the way from Hluhluwe. It was even difficult to talk to him about tactics, so you needed to make sure that you speak to him in his own language, and he became comfortable and once he became comfortable, he became a leader,” the former Orlando Pirates winger added.
Mbokazi to bring leadership to the party
“He is now a leader, and this is what Pirates is about, giving opportunities to youngsters from all different spheres of the country. The Diski Challenge is about giving chances to the young ones, we have seen how Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] and Mohau [Mohau Nkota] have progressed, they are all coming from this group.
“Mbekezeli has shown enough of what he wants, maybe next week he will be training with the first team full-time. It means it is one trophy won, which is something I’m very proud of.
“Rele is winning matches at the first team, and Nkota is waiting to win matches. Mbekezeli will be there to stop goals for the first team.
“I am happy that when Rele got a chance he took it and after him, all the players started believing,” Makhanya, who also graduated from the Orlando Pirates juniors in the early 2000s, concluded.
Upcoming fixtures
After a surprise defeat to Magesi in the Carling Knockout, Pirates must dust themselves down and get back to basics in the Betway Premiership. They’ve also got some enticing Caf Champions League clashes on the horizon.
- AmaZulu (H) – 25 October, 19:30 kickoff
- TS Galaxy (A) – 29 October, 19:30 kickoff
- Stellenbosch (H) – 10 November, 15:30 kickoff
- Belouizdad (A) – 26 November, kickoff time TBC
- Gallants (A) – 03 December, 19:30 kickoff
- Al Ahly (H) – 06 December, kickoff time TBC
How much do you know about Mbokazi?
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