Ex-Kaizer Chiefs winger raves about Orlando Pirates youngster Mbekezeli Mbokazi - 'He is a contender to be a national team player...future captain of the Buccaneers'

Defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has become the latest youngster to emerge from Orlando Pirates' development structures into the first team.

The 20-year-old central defender has of late been a regular and follows in the footsteps of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota who have been outstanding for the Buccaneers.

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye views Mbokazi as a player who will be a big name in South African football in future.

“I’d like to compliment this Mbokazi boy,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.

“I think he is a contender to be a national team player. For me he deserves to be given a chance because it’s easy to coach talent and he is talented.

"As a defender he is technically very good. He can deal with one-on-one situations. He is very composed and knows how to deal with a player.

“I mean when they assign him to defend someone, he does the job very easy. He was even able to mark [Lucas] Ribeiro [in the league]," added the former Amakhosi winger.

"This boy has leadership skills he is the future captain of Orlando Pirates for me.  Well done to the boy.”

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro was brave enough to hand Mbokazi his Caf Champions League debut in the cauldron of the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 on Tuesday.

Playing before an intimidating crowd in Algiers against a team which was relentlessly attacking, Mbokazi contributed to Pirates frustrating their hosts.

That makes the Buccaneers coach unworried by the absence of injured centre-backs like Thabiso Sesane and Olisa Nda.

The Soweto giants still have a lot to play for this season and those are chances for Mbokazi to keep on proving himself.

The South Africa Under-20 international is being trusted as Pirates are bidding for the Premier Soccer League title, the Nedbank Cup and the Champions League.