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Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Tshepang Moremi, Ashley Cupido and Deano van Rooyen, Bafana BafanaBackpage
Kiplagat Sang

Hugo Broos tells Orlando Pirates 'sorry, but this guy has to go away next year' as Bafana Bafana defender is told to look for another challenge

The Belgian tactician has explained why the Bucs youngster should leave as soon as possible if he is to get even better. Although he started playing senior football recently, the Sea Robber has established himself as a key player for both Bafana and the club.

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Cyriel Dessers, South Africa vs NigeriaBackpage

    Broos wants Mbokazi out of PSL

    Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has stated it is time for Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi to leave the Premier Soccer League.

    Mbokazi, who is part of the 23-man squad set to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in the October FIFA World Cup qualifiers, is now too good for the local competitions, according to Broos.

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  • Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana, August 2025Backpage

    Why now?

    “If you see the quality and the talent of Mbokazi, I’m very sorry to Pirates, but this guy has to go away next year. He will become better when he plays good competition and at a higher level," Broos said when he unveiled his final Bafana squad for the upcoming qualifiers.

    "If he stays here, it will become too easy for him because he’s good. He needs another motivation, another challenge. That makes him become better. There are other players who can make the move abroad," he added.

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Mbokazi's rise

    Mbokazi has experienced phenomenal growth in his career since he was given a chance by former Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro in March this year.

    He went on to play 15 games in the second half of last season, and he grabbed those chances well to establish himself as a key player for the Soweto giants.

    At just 19 years of age, Mbokazi is among the Sea Robbers' captains. He has played in high-profile games, including the CAF Champions League semi-final that Bucs lost to eventual champions, Pyramids FC.

    He has his first senior team title already: the MTN8 Cup that Pirates won recently to make history by becoming the only team to have won four of them.

    At the national level, he has earned the trust of Broos, who has named him in his recent squads. Against Nigeria in September, the youngster was named the Man of the Match as both countries shared spoils from a 1-1 draw.

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Who else has been told to leave Bucs?

    Apart from Mbokazi, Relebohile Mofokeng has been urged to leave the Soweto giants. Mofokeng is among the promising stars for Bucs, and many pundits predict it will not be long before he leaves for greener pastures.

    The 20-year-old won the PSL Young Player of the Season award for two seasons in a row, and in the last transfer window, he was linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Rangers FC, Minnesota United, and Al Ettifaq.

    Mbokazi and Mofokeng are tipped to follow Mohau Nkota, who signed for Saudi Arabia's Al Ettifaq, through the exit door in the near future.