Bafana Bafana hero Mbekezeli Mbokazi was ready to get a red card against Nigeria - 'Let me go and die on the pitch!'

Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was introduced to the senior team in March this year.

He went on to establish himself as a key player for the Buccaneers, owing to his determined and purposeful defending.

The 19-year-old played against some top teams in Mzansi and Africa, but he delivered despite his tender age and lack of international experience.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos trusted the teenager in international friendly matches played against Tanzania and Mozambique, respectively, in June.

In the absence of experienced heads like Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala, Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi, Broos included the teenager in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers' squad that was to play Lesotho and Nigeria.

The youngster played all the matches and was crowned the Man of the Match on Tuesday night against the Super Eagles, arguably, his biggest game so far.

Mbokazi has since revealed the motivation behind his exploits.

"I feel pleased about the way that I played because playing with older players made everything easier; they have experience,” the teenager said in his post-match interview.

"It was my first time playing such a tough match, but the way they [experienced players] spoke with me gave me confidence in myself.

"When I stepped on the pitch, I told myself that I’d rather get a red card," Mbokazi continued.

"That’s what I normally tell myself, that 'let me just go and die on the pitch'. There’s nothing else.

"The coach started me because he trusts me, so if I don’t trust myself, then nothing will go forward. So, let me trust myself and fight for what I want," Mbokazi concluded.

Amajita's technical team hopes to have Mbokazi for the forthcoming U20 FIFA World Cup to be played in Chile later in the month.

It will be interesting to see whether Pirates will allow the teenager to take part in the junior competition owing to his importance to their first XI.