‘Really nonsense’ – Why Bafana boss Broos is furious with Mbokazi and Pirates

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has lashed out at Orlando Pirates and defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi over what he termed “unprofessional behaviour.”

Broos was angry that the young defender failed to arrive in camp at the stipulated time and gave a poor excuse, having missed his flight from Durban to Gauteng.

Bafana Bafana players hit camp on Monday to begin their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and each player has a time when they are expected to arrive.

However, Mbokazi did not arrive as planned and his reasons for being late did not impress the Bafana Bafana boss, who has slammed the soon-to-be Chicago Fire defender.

Broos hits out at Mbokazi and Pirates

⚽️ 👴🏻 Hugo Broos furious with Mbekezeli Mbokazi for late arrival in camp. #sabcsport411 pic.twitter.com/9KZ3jL9PYz

— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) December 10, 2025

“Mbokazi, he just arrived or will arrive in 15 minutes,” Broos told the media at the Bafana camp on Wednesday.

“I didn’t want to talk about it, but you asked the question, and you have the right to know that I’m not pleased about it.

“He let us know that he missed his flight yesterday in Durban, it was the coach of Pirates who informed me. 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.

What does Bafana boss intend to do?

“This is South Africa, and this is very bad – very, very bad. When you’re a 19-year-old guy and you receive a call-up from the national team for AFCON, and to play World Cup next year, and the coach gives you a few more days off, if you are somebody with a good attitude, you don’t even want those two days and you are here on Monday with the other players,” added a furious Broos.

Broos promised to give Mbokazi a piece of his mind, reminding the player that he has no room for poor attitude in his team no matter how big a player is.

“So, I will have a chat with him after training,” said the veteran Belgian coach. “And I can assure you he is a black guy, and he will get out of my room as a white guy. Because that I can’t accept. But I know why, I know why. Suddenly Mboki is a star – he thinks he is a star.”

Defender to move to MLS after AFCON

“This is the attitude of a star, ‘I will decide when I come’. I will explain it to him. I’m very angry, very angry about his attitude,” the 73-year-old further said.

Mbokazi was part of the Pirates squad that played in the Carling Knockout final, winning 1-0 against Marumo Gallants, with the defender playing the entire contest.

It was Mbokazi’s final game for Pirates as he will link up with MLS side Chicago Fire after the Africa Cup of Nations.