‘No coach in Mzansi would like to do without Mbokazi’ – National Team tactician

South Africa U20 coach Raymond Mdaka insists no tactician will be happy to play a team without Orlando Pirates sensation Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

The teenager has been delivering effectively at both the club and national team level since his promotion in March by the then Bucs coach Jose Riveiro. The centre-back has since cemented his place in the Sowet giants' starting XI.

His exploits attracted Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos who has now included him in tough games for the national team. Mdaka wanted to have the youngster in his team for the forthcoming FIFA U20 World Cup, but his wish wasn't granted. He has since explained why the 19-year-old did not make his squad.

Why Mbokazi is not in the Amajita squad

“No coach in the country would want to do without Mbokazi, but at the same time, this was one situation where I, as the U20 coach, have to understand,” Mdaka said as quoted by SABC Sport.

“Especially with the request from the senior head coach, in terms of Bafana qualifying for the World Cup, so that's where the [decision] came to say, it's fine, let it go, as long as he's within the national teams, he's going to be with Bafana, we'll accept it.

“We were going to get him [from Pirates], but it's just that we had already qualified for the World Cup; as much as he would have loved to [play in the U20 World Cup], like we were discussing with him. I started with Mbokazi, taking him from the Pirates DDC, and I would have loved to be with him, but I understand,” he stated.

Mdaka lauds Broos despite Campbell's failed wish

Shandre Campbell is another player who will miss the competition after his team, Club Brugge, refused to let him leave. Mdaka has opened up on the issue as well, and how Broos tried to help get a solution.

“Some things, when you speak to people, they might not understand how and why, and the same applies to the issue of Shandre.

“It was a sure case to us, but three days beyond, things were different and I'm telling you, Broos tried his level best – he tried more than he could, but the [deadline] dates were coming and we ended up feeling, no, let's close the case,” he concluded.