Former Orlando Pirates defender praises newly discovered talent Mbokazi & identifies his areas of improvement - 'I'm only concerned about his pace'

Orlando Pirates have a rich history of producing young talent, with stars like Senzo Meyiwa, Lebohang Mokoena, and Joseph Makhanya rising through the ranks, Makhanya, now coaching the club’s reserve side, has played a crucial role in developing the next generation.

Under Jose Riveiro, youngsters such as Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, and Siyabonga Ndlozi have emerged and the latest addition, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, has made an immediate impact in defense since his promotion to the first team squad.

Former Pirates defender Tonic Chabalala praised Mbokazi’s performances and credited Makhanya for his work at the academy.

"I know it's too early to judge, but you can identify a good player in a matter of seconds. The boy's game is developing nicely, which shows that 'Duku-Duku' (Joseph Makhanya) is doing very well in the DDC (DStv Diski Challenge)," notes Tonic Chabalala as reported by Kickoff .

"He is proving to be a good asset, and Pirates are benefiting a lot because these days we are no longer buying players as much.

"Big games, such as the one against Sundowns, are often said to either make or break you, but Mbokazi fitted in perfectly.

"You can tell from the goal he scored against SuperSport that this boy is confident. It's very rare for a defender to score like a seasoned striker.

"I'm only concerned about his pace. He needs to work on his fitness because his physique may be a disadvantage in football, especially since most strikers are smaller and quicker.

"Additionally, he seems to rely on his right foot mainly for walking, which means as a centre-back, he is somewhat limited to playing left-centre-back.

"He can't be effectively utilised as a right centre-back."

At just 19 years old, Mbokazi has already earned two Man of the Match awards in the Nedbank Cup as he impressed against SuperSport United, where he scored, and against Mamelodi Sundowns in a crucial league win. That victory cut Sundowns’ lead to 15 points, keeping Bucs in the title race.

Mbokazi’s performances also earned him a place in Raymond Mdaka’s provisional South Africa U-20 squad. If selected, he will compete in the upcoming U-20 tournament in Ivory Coast. South Africa faces a tough challenge in Group B, drawn against Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco.

Pirates now shift focus to their Caf Champions League quarterfinal first-leg clash against MC Alger in Algeria. The Buccaneers will need to be at their best to secure a favorable result away from home. A strong performance will be key before the return leg in South Africa.