Bafana Bafana's Hugo Broos happy to have 'mature' Mbekezeli Mbokazi but faults Orlando Pirates for denying him Afcon glory

Orlando Pirates promoted Mbekezeli Mbokazi to their senior team this season.

The 19-year-old made his debut for the Buccaneers in March and went on to cement his place in the team.

The teenager played a crucial role as Bucs finished second in the Premier Soccer League, behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as reaching the Caf Champions League semi-final.

Mbokazi played a crucial role in helping the South Africa U20 team qualify for the recently concluded U20 Afcon.

However, Pirates refused to let him play for Amajiita in continental competition, and the team went on to beat Morocco in the final.

The Buccaneers failed to win the Nedbank Cup, the league, and the continental tournament.

While coach Jose Riveiro is happy to have Mbokazi in his Bafana Bafana team to play in the forthcoming international friendlies, he has faulted the Soweto giants for failing to release the youngster for Afcon.

"I think what I saw from Mbokazi was, for me, his game is very mature, he takes good decisions and he's a good defender; he's not the tallest but he wins aerial duels," the Belgian said as quoted by SABC Sport.

"He's 1.80m, I think, but he doesn't lose many duels, he has good [positioning] and reading the attack, so yeah, he's a good defender.

Broos believes the defender should have played for Amajiita, "It would have been better for him to play Afcon for his development and to gain international experience.

"Okay, Pirates will say he has international experience in the Champions League, and they are right, but they could have given him the opportunity because they have players who can replace him in the team.

"Pirates could still have been [Caf Champions League] champions in that moment, but I think to become champions was very difficult, so you could have then given a chance to a player to play at Afcon," he concluded.

Mbokazi is expected to play game as South Africa plays Tanzania and Mozambique in an international friendly game.

The youngster might be included in the U20 World Cup that will be played in Chile from September 27 to October 19.

Amajiita are in Group E alongside 2013 world champions France, USA and New Caledonia.