Coach makes surprise Mbekezeli Mbokazi decision as Kaizer Chiefs' new signing named in South Africa's World Cup squad and Mamelodi Sundowns star included after missing AFCON

The 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations champions Amajita are set for FIFA World Cup, which will be played in Chile in the next couple of weeks.

The 2024 COSAFA Champions were placed in Group E with debutants New Caledonia, USA, and France. 

Orlando Pirates star Mbekezeli Mbokazi missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as the then Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro refused to release him owing to the busy schedule for the club domestically and abroad. 

Many South Africans may have thought the 19-year-old would be part of the Raymond Mdaka team to challenge for the U20 silverware, but it is not the case.

However, Mamelodi Sundowns' Siyabonga Mabena, who missed the 2025 Under-20 AFCON due to an injury, is part of the squad. 

Kaizer Chiefs' new signing Luke Baartman has also been named in the squad after missing the AFCON finals due to an injury.

In the preliminary 30-man squad, Kaizer Chiefs have produced the highest number of players.

Orlando Pirates tactician Abdeslam Ouaddou had initially insisted he was willing to let his assistant captain represent the nation.

“I never stop a player, and the club never stops a player from going to the national team," the former Morocco defender told the media.

 "It's important to represent his country [and] to be part of the best players in the country.

“Of course, we are going to speak with the management about that [whether Mbokazi will be allowed to go to the U-20 World Cup or not], but we can't retain somebody from the national team," Ouaddou concluded.  

Mbokazi is expected to make the final Bafana Bafana squad that will play Lesotho and Nigeria, respectively, in the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

After his exploits in the Friendly matches against Tanzania and Mozambique, respectively, it seems the teenager has won Hugo Broos' trust.