Bafana Bafana & Pirates defender advised to lick his wounds after CAF snub

South Africa sensation and Orlando Pirates star Mbekezeli Mbokazi anticipated to make the last three nominees for the CAF's Confederation of African Football Award.

The 20-year-old has been on the rise for the club and country since coming into the spotlight in March under the then Bucs coach Jose Riveiro. He has been a permanent fixture for the Soweto giants since then, playing in vital games across all competitions.

Mbokazi needed one game with South Africa to show his worth for the national team as well. He is tipped to make the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2026 World Cup.

The centre-back was nominated for CAF's Young Player of the Year Award but was beaten to the top three by Abdellah Ouazane of Ajax Amsterdam, Watford's Othmane Maama, and compatriot Tylon Smith who plays for Queens Park Rangers.

Mbokazi is still new in the profession

Former Pirates defender Benson Mhlongo has urged Mbokazi not to read too much into his failure to win the award, insisting he has time to win the next one but only if he keeps his head down and continues to deliver.

“I don't think we must look too much into the exclusion of Mbekezeli Mbokazi from the top three,” he told KickOff.

“He is still new in professional football, he made the hype towards the end of last season, he didn't play much in CAF, he showed potential but let's not read too much into this one.

“Even next season he is still going to be a young player. So, he must just put his head up, he must know the supporters believes in him, that's why there's an outcry about his exclusion.

“He must take this as a positive sign and keep on going. It's nominations by the way, so sometimes you get nominated and sometimes you don't,” Mhlongo concluded.