Chiefs legend Khumalo reveals qualities that make Pirates’ Mbokazi ‘very rare to find’

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo is convinced Orlando Pirates youngster Mbekezeli Mbokazi can be the best defender of his generation.

The 19-year-old made his senior team debut in March this year, but has quickly risen through the ranks and is now a starter at Bafana Bafana. Interestingly, he was even voted the man of the match in a recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria at the Free State Stadium that ended 1-1.

The former attacker insists the teenager possesses some good qualities that will make it easy to hit greater heights, having played against seasoned strikers in the Premier Soccer league and excelled.

“You look at [Mbekezeli] and obviously, [he can become the best], he hasn’t featured much in the national set-up,” Khumalo told the media.

‘Mbekezeli will always strive to be the winner'

“He’s only played in the [CAF] Champions League or probably Orlando Pirates, and he’s going to be facing very experienced players from Europe. But at the end of the day, it’s about who has it more. And if you look at Mbokazi, he has never been on the field with a weak mind, with a weak heart. He will always strive to be the winner, and that kind of player is very rare to find,” he continued.

“Mbokazi is not just an ordinary player, but what he brings on the day is hard work, and this is what makes him to become one of the best central defenders we have.

“Yes, I understand experienced players, we’re playing against them, but what I like about him, the composure and being bold enough to challenge.

“I mean, he’s played better strikers in the PSL, and he silenced them. So why can’t he do it? So, when are we going to realise that he can do it if you don’t throw him into the deep end, hence I’m saying, let’s not shy away from giving them the platform, these young boys,” Khumalo concluded.