Mkhalele clears the air over tensions between Bafana boss Broos and Mbokazi

Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has confirmed that his boss Hugo Broos no longer has an issue with defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi following his public rebuke of the player.

Broos blasted Mbokazi for what he termed an unprofessional attitude after the defender arrived to camp late for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations preparations.

The veteran coach did not hold back on his criticism of the player, saying he found it wrong that such a youngster was already coming late when his career has just taken off while claiming he might be feeling ‘big’ after securing a big-money transfer to the MLS.

Bafana assistant confirms Mbokazi is forgiven

Broos promised to have a talk with Mbokazi to make it clear what the standards are and his No.2 has now cleared the air about the possibility of any tensions in camp.

“That issue has been resolved because it is important for us to make sure that we resolve issues like that as we continue with our preparations. So, the issue of Mbokazi has been settled,” Mkhalele told the media on Thursday.

It is an issue that saw Broos also hit out at Mbokazi’s club Orlando Pirates for providing a vague reason over his lateness, something the 73-year-old interpreted as a scheme to cover the player after his transgressions.

What did Broos say about defender’s attitude?

“He let us know that he missed his flight yesterday in Durban, it was the coach of Pirates who informed me,” Broos said on Wednesday. “And he was very angry that he missed his flight because, and that’s his word, ‘it’s an unprofessional attitude’.”

“And I think I spoke already to you about unprofessional attitude of South African players. Again, an example of it. Then Pirates sent me a message with nonsense – really nonsense, why he missed his flight and I will not tell you what they said – and that is the worst thing that a club protects the player of his unprofessional attitude.”

It remains to be seen if that issue has cost Mbokazi his place in the Bafana Bafana starting XI as is among the key players for Broos, having started every game since getting his maiden call-up.