Orlando Pirates to lose Mbekezeli Mbokazi for a month?

South Africa U20 team is set to compete in the U20 World Cup that will be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19.

The African champions are among the nations that will be dining with the big boys in the global competition in South America. However, one of the players who is not yet assured of a place in Amajita is the Orlando Pirates center-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

The 19-year-old played a crucial role in helping his nation win the COSAFA competition, but he missed the U20 Africa Cup of Nations since his club Pirates did not release him owing to club commitments.

Despite his tender age, Mbokazi has been excellent for both the club and the senior national team. His most recent engagement was in Group C's FIFA World Cup qualifier, where he put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 1-1 draw. SAFA President Danny Jordaan hopes the Buccaneers can allow the teenager to play in the U20 World Cup.

SAFA hopes to find an understanding with Pirates

“We have never had such an excellent defender at that age, and the opportunity to play in the U20 World Cup is great because you have the whole world watching. I hope we can find an understanding on the matter with Orlando Pirates,” he said as quoted by SABC Sport.

“I think we have an excellent U20 team, and I'm hoping that Mbokazi can go with them, because if he goes, our defence will be really solid. We have a talented goalkeeper, and the midfield and attack are very good too.”

If Bucs agree to let their assistant captain leave, then they will miss him for a month.

Jordaan has further explained why Club Brugge winger Shandre Campbell didn't play at Afcon but is in the squad for the World Cup.

“We did not include Shandre Campbell in the U20 AFCON, in exchange for him to be available for the U20 World Cup. He is already integrating into the team, and when you bring all of these talented youngsters together, I think great things can happen in the World Cup,” he concluded.