Mbekezeli Mbokazi has taken the local footballing fraternity by storm. We’ve taken a closer look at the Orlando Pirates star’s profile.
Mbokazi doesn’t take prisoners
Physically gifted and still growing into his frame, teenage central defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi will have no issue outmuscling strikers. Where he might run into issues is across the ground against nippier forwards who run the channels. Pirates’ 19-year-old powerhouse isn’t lightning quick off the mark. However, with his natural defensive intelligence, instincts and anticipation, this shouldn’t be a problem. There’s still plenty of improvement, though, for one so young.
Big game player is already proving his mettle for Orlando Pirates
Mbekezeli Mbokazi started subsequent matches against SuperSport in the Nedbank Cup (he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw, Pirates eventually prevailed on penalties) and against Stellenbosch in a 0-0 draw. Mbokazi was man of the match in that thrilling cup tie against Matsatsantsa, and he started and shone in Pirates’ superb 2-1 win over leaders Sundowns, again earning the Man of the Match award. It’s a result which breathes new life into a title challenge that seemed to be fading out. The Sea Robbers Trail Sundowns by 15 points but have four games in hand. 20-year-old Rele Mofokeng was the scorer of both Pirates goals, the quickest brace by a Buccaneers player in PSL history. We don’t even think of Mofokeng as a youngster or a future star anymore, such is his importance to the first XI already. The future is now.
Mbokazi will taste the Champions League quarters
Pirates will be quietly confident they can stamp their ticket into the Champions League semi-finals. They face the Algerian side MC Alger over two legs in the quarter-finals. The first leg takes place on Tuesday, 01 April at 21:00 in North Africa. Alger is currently in charge of the Algerian Ligue 1 with a seven-point lead at the summit. That’s after 20 league outings.
Is Mbokazi the real deal?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
