‘He has to go to Europe next year’ – Broos in awe of Pirates defender

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‘He has to go to Europe next year’ – Broos in awe of Pirates defender

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has singled out an Orlando Pirates player for praise, saying he is so good that he should move to Europe next year.

Broos unveiled his final 23-man squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria and among the first names on the list was Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

The 19-year-old left-footed defender has been so impressive since he was promoted to the senior team last year and has rarely missed a match since and Broos tested him in June during South Africa’s friendly matches with Tanzania and Mozambique.

Broos says he was left in awe of what he saw and continues to be surprised by the talents of Mbokazi, who he terms the “best defender he has ever seen in South Africa.”

“This is a player I didn’t see that so much but from the beginning, he showed a very mature attitude,” Broos said on SABC after unveiling his squad.

Broos praises quality defender Mbokazi

“He’s confident, he’s strong, he has a good technique. He plays without fear and this is special for a young player and I was curious when he came with us in March. You see him playing with the team those friendly games, I was assured when I saw him playing. This was for me the proof that he’s a very good player, a very good defender, and a very young one.

“So, I never doubted one second when I made the list not to take him. He is really, really good and I think it’s a long time ago what I can say, because I don’t know the history of South African football, but the four years when I’m here, I never saw a defender like this and young. So, I’m very happy with him.”

Broos then went on to predict a great future for the defender who he thinks will be ready to make the step to paid ranks abroad next year.

“I said for Rele [Mofokeng] also last year, I think it’s good for him [Mbokazi]to stay another year normally, Pirates will play Champions League,” added Broos.

Bafana coach advises defender on next move

Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi

“He’s playing in a good team, I hope, and there will be a good battle to be champion between Sundowns there and maybe Chiefs.

“And it will be good for him but if he goes on like this, this is a guy that has to go to Europe, certainly with the skills he has, with the quality he has. He’s a nice guy, is very humble in the group.

“Yeah, this is a guy who has to go to Europe next year, but the best thing for him is to stay now and just make performance, like he did till now.”

Mbokazi has shown not just his qualities on the pitch but also off it and his leadership skills saw him selected as one of Pirates’ two vice captains ahead of a number of experienced players in the team.

The teenager has so far made 26 appearances for Pirates in all competitions, with a goal and two assists to his name, while he has earned one cap for Bafana Bafana, who will play Lesotho away on September 5, before hosting Nigeria at Free State Stadium four days later. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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